A DESIGNATED U-turn for light vehicles could improve traffic flow at the Jalan Ambong-Jalan Kepong junction in Kepong Baru.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said motorists leaving the nearby industrial park, high-rise residential buildings and Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall must either travel another 300m to the Jalan Kepong-Jalan Metro Perdana junction to make a legal U-turn or take a longer route through internal roads.
The Kepong Baru MRT station is also nearby.
“If they are travelling towards Kuala Lumpur, they have to go farther along Jalan Kepong to make a U-turn or use internal roads before returning to Jalan Kepong via Pintasan Segambut.
“It is troublesome and wastes time,” he said, adding that residents had raised the need for the U-turn over several years.
Yee said he had submitted a request to Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) Urban Transport Department on Oct 6 last year for a U-turn at the Jalan Ambong-Jalan Kepong junction.
A “No U-turn” sign is currently placed at the junction.
Yee said based on his observation, there was ample space for light vehicles to make a U-turn.
“There are other locations with a similar road layout and traffic situation where a U-turn has been allowed.”
He cited a U-turn at the Jalan Pudu-Jalan Brunei junction in the city centre as an example.
However, Yee said the proposed U-turn should be restricted to light vehicles and supported by proper road signs and markings.
He said markings should be placed before the junction to alert approaching motorists that vehicles ahead might slow down to make the U-turn.
“This would benefit residents, shop owners and factory operators here as it would save them a lot of time.”
