Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh residents urge authorities to address peak-hour congestion on Jalan Sungai Buloh too. — Filepic
THE worsening traffic congestion in Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh needs to be addressed by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and Public Works Department (JKR).
Jalan Welfare, the main access road, is too narrow and cannot be broadened without the acquisition of private adjacent lands.
The road serves both a large residential area and a small and medium enterprises (SME) hub.
Despite numerous suggestions and complaints, nothing has been done to alleviate the aggravating traffic impasse.
The only possible short-term solution is reopening the former Jalan Baru junction, which will allow it to be used as a second access road to the SME hub and residential area.
The junction was closed when Jalan Sungai Buloh-Subang was widened in 2006 to 2008.
There was no need to close the junction as traffic lights could have been installed to regulate traffic.
Many appeals were made by residents and factory operators to reopen the junction considering that Jalan Welfare will not be able to cater to the increasing traffic especially of heavy vehicles headed to the SME hub, which is the largest in Selangor.
I had also appealed to the Petaling JKR, the Works Ministry, elected representatives, road upgrading project contractor and even the late former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on the need to keep the junction open and the serious problems it could cause if it was sealed off.
I had even pointed out the fires which happened in the SME hub and the narrow Jalan Welfare could hamper a speedy response from the Fire and Rescue Department.
Despite my best efforts the junction was closed.
Another alternative could be to build a flyover from the Shell station to the Forestry Department Office frontage to provide non-stop passage for traffic on the Jalan Sungai Buloh-Subang road.
However, the MRT pillars on the middle of the road and by the side of the road could complicate problems for the flyover.
The congestion on the Jalan Sungai Buloh-Subang road as well as on Jalan Welfare needs to be addressed.
Increasing traffic brought about by the SME hub, Kwasa Damansara development, Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) and Subang Airport could lead to a severe gridlock if not resolved as soon as possible.
Lastly, the unfinished road linking the Petaling District Office with Jalan Sungai Buloh- Subang (near EPF headquarters building) needs to be completed to ease some of the congestion by dispersing traffic.
V. Thomas
Sg Buloh, Selangor
