RESIDENTS of Taman Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur are seeking guarantees that construction of the New Pantai Expressway Extension Project (NPE 2) will not worsen gridlock into and around their neighbourhood.
The 15.9km highway extension will connect the Pantai Dalam Toll Plaza to the Jalan Istana interchange via Jalan Syed Putra, a major road outside Taman Seputeh.
Concerns mounted during a recent engagement session over a 1km stretch, where construction of 30 elevated highway pillars is set to begin next month. (See graphics)
Residents pressed concessionaire New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd (NPE) for traffic mitigation plans for the nine to 12-month work period, warning that construction vehicles could easily block Jalan Taman Seputeh, the main road into the neighbourhood.
NPE Sdn Bhd Engineering, Maintenance and Traffic Central Support Unit head Azarulizam Ismail said besides traffic congestion, residents also raised the issue of noise during the construction of the pillars to support NPE 2’s elevated highway structure.
Taman Seputeh Residents Association chairman Dr Balaeswaran Poobalasingam also expressed concern over the potential setup of site offices or workers’ quarters in Taman Seputeh during construction, which could cause traffic obstructions.
“Previously, there was a project where the developer set up its office here. As their staff members parked by the roadside, obstructions happened, especially on Jalan Taman Seputeh 1.
“The roads in Taman Seputeh are quite narrow, so whenever there are heavy vehicles like Alam Flora Sdn Bhd’s rubbish lorries coming in, part of the road gets obstructed,” he said.
When StarMetro visited Taman Seputeh on Oct 7, a crane servicing a street light blocked the turning at Jalan Taman Seputeh 1 near the Jalan Taman Seputeh junction, forcing motorists to swerve into oncoming traffic to navigate the turn.
To mitigate traffic concerns, Azarulizam said NPE Sdn Bhd will maintain Jalan Syed Putra as a three-lane dual carriageway and only work within the road’s median.
“There will be no reduction in the number of lanes. The median will be hoarded and all works will only be carried out within.
“Width reduction of the lanes will only happen in areas where construction space is relatively tight, and those lanes will be reduced from about 3.5m to about 3.3m wide.
“Lanes in areas with wide enough road shoulders will not be affected.
“For Taman Seputeh specifically, access to and from Jalan Syed Putra will not be closed,” he said.
He added that the transportation of major construction materials by heavy vehicles will only be carried out outside peak hours.
Addressing residents’ concerns about construction noise, Azarulizam said temporary sound barriers will be erected for high-noise activities.
“We are also using the bore piling method for our foundation works, which generates much less noise compared to conventional hammer piling,” he added.
Regarding neighbourhood disturbance, Azarulizam assured that NPE Sdn Bhd will strictly monitor its subcontractors.
“In fact, most of our workers will stay in temporary living quarters in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. It is nowhere near Taman Seputeh,” he said.
He further stated that the section of NPE 2 along Jalan Syed Putra would benefit Taman Seputeh residents by offering alternative routes to Jalan Istana and Jalan Cheras.
“We will build a ramp near Mid Valley to connect the Federal Highway to NPE 2, allowing motorists to avoid heavy traffic on Jalan Syed Putra as they travel to Jalan Istana and the Kuala Lumpur city centre during peak hours.
“Those heading to Cheras can also use the ramp to reach the Jalan Istana interchange, where access will be provided to other highways connecting to Cheras, avoiding congestion on the East-West Link Expressway,” he said.
