The Changkat Jering toll plaza (top left) is used by motorists driving on the new WCE to get on the PLUS expressway. — Filepic
HIGHWAY authorities have addressed the critical traffic congestion at the Changkat Jering toll plaza of the North-South Expressway (PLUS).
Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transportation committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) had engaged with the concessionaires of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) and PLUS.
Mohammad Nizar said traffic congestion occured at the toll especially during school holidays and festive seasons.
“Among the steps taken are having additional lanes at the toll plaza heading to PLUS from the WCE to reduce the traffic overflow.
“There is also introduction of hybrid lanes (RFID and Touch ’n Go) at the Changkat Jering toll plaza,” he said in reply to Rahim Ismail (PN-Changkat Jering) during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh.
Rahim had asked on the action plan by the Public Works Department, or WCE regarding the traffic congestion frequently occurring at the toll plaza during school holidays and festive seasons.
To his question on steps taken to avoid accidents happening at the narrow exit to Changkat Jering town, Mohammad Nizar said engagement sessions with the Taiping traffic police had been held.
He said improvements were being made through real-time traffic monitoring via closed-circuit television (CCTV) by the WCE Traffic Control Centre.
“This monitoring will directly notify the traffic police to carry out control actions, assistance and traffic management at the Changkat Jering junction in case of congestion,” he added.
The narrow exit to Changkat Jering, he said, was designed by certified consultants taking into account feedback from road safety auditors, adding that the design was approved by the relevant department.
On a question by Mohd Akmal Kamarudin (PN-Selama) on the development of the Northern Corridor Highway (NCH) project, Mohammad Nizar said several government agencies, including the Works Ministry were reviewing viable sections of the highway.
