Road users in Rawang will see improved road conditions in four years’ time as upgrading works for FT3209 Jalan Perindustrian Rawang has begun. —MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/ The Star
The road connecting Rawang town in Selangor with the North-South Expressway will undergo four years of upgrading works to reduce traffic congestion in the area.
In addition to upgrading part of Federal Route FT3209, also known as Jalan Perindustrian Rawang, with four and six lanes at different sections, the 3.2km-long project will also see a new flyover and two pedestrian bridges.
The new flyover will be located between the Kuala Garing and Kuang junctions, bypassing a stretch that has four schools in its vicinity.
Old street lighting and traffic lights as well as drainage along the entire stretch of the project will also be upgraded.
Five junctions at Kuala Garing, Kuang, Rawang Integrated Industrial Park, Kota Emerald and Taman Belmas Johan Industrial Park will also be upgraded to cope with traffic flow.
Selayang MP William Leong said the project started on Aug 22 with land acquisition already underway as the first step.
“We are pleased that this project has finally started as it has been a long time coming for residents who have had to put up with the inconvenience.
“Among the objectives of the project are to reduce traffic congestion as well as improve safety and the drainage system,” said Leong in a press conference on the road upgrading project in Rawang.
He added that the original project cost of RM445mil was reduced to RM227mil as the earlier budget was for a proposed elevated highway from Kuang to Rawang.
The project was approved in 2020 as part of the Federal Government’s Budget 2020 and the 11th Malaysia Plan, and the project had originally been scheduled to begin in the same year.
Many complaints from residents stem from a 650m stretch passing four schools located within 400m of one another and where the dual-carriageway merges into a single lane, causing a traffic bottleneck.
Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat said the project would be monitored to ensure its completion resolved residents’ traffic woes.
“The Works Ministry will provide further details on the project at an upcoming briefing and we will keep residents updated.
“I hope residents are able to bear with the situation a while longer,” he added.
The project is carried out by the Works Ministry with Pertama Makmur Sdn Bhd as the contractor.
News of the project has been well-received by residents in the area.
Kuala Garing village head A. Subramaniam, 64, is looking forward to using the new road.
“The current road is always congested and dangerous for motorcyclists like me, and I have been using the road since I was a boy.
“During rush hour, the section with four schools is a nightmare for residents to get through,” said Subramaniam, who picks up his grandchildren daily.
“Although the wait is four years, it is worth it for future comfort and safety.
“I am very happy that residents will finally get the upgrade they deserve,” he added.
