Bid to ease traffic on LDP

Peak-hour plan: A large banner at the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza informs highway LDP users about the contra-flow which will take effect from Dec 8.

LINGKARAN Trans Kota Holdings Bhd (Litrak), the concessionaire of the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) announced its efforts to ease traffic congestion along the LDP and the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza on Wednesday.

Litrak is implementing a three-month trial of a contra-flow traffic system to help highway users from Puchong, Putrajaya and Shah Alam towards Kelana Jaya starting from Dec 8 until Feb 27 next year.

This was announced by Litrak chief executive officer Sazally Saidi at Litrak’s office near the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza.

A contra-flow lane will start at KM21 (Kelana Jaya-bound) on the LDP, opposite UOB and HSBC banks, right after the IOI Mall, Puchong, with the exit at KM18.

The dedicated contra-flow lane is for light vehicles and Touch ‘n Go users only and will run on weekdays from 6.30am to 9.30am, excluding public holidays.

Users are advised to keep to the rightmost lane to enter the contra-flow lane.

With the implementation of the contra-flow lane, LDP users from Puchong, Putrajaya and Shah Alam heading towards Kelana Jaya will be able to bypass the heavy traffic between Puchong Jaya and the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza during the morning peak.

As the contra flow aims to improve traffic flow on the LDP from Putrajaya and Shah Alam towards Kelana Jaya, this will involve the complete closure of the Plaza A Toll at the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza in the opposite direction from Sunway.

Highway users from Sunway to Puchong or KESAS are advised to use Plaza B Toll during the contra-flow.

Sazally said, two trial runs were held in April and June last year to identify potential problems and the contra-flow was expected to benefit some 5,000 motorists daily at the Petaling Jaya Toll Plaza northbound during morning peak hours.

Highway users from Puchong and Putrajaya are expected to save approximately 15 minutes on average in their commute to Kelana Jaya or Damansara.

“Litrak has already added bunting and signages along the highway to inform and guide highway users about the contra-flow,” said Sazally.

“As with any new traffic scheme, there would be minor hiccups as road users will need a few days to get accustomed to the new system,” said Sazally.

The Highway Ronda team will be stationed at strategic locations and motorists are advised to adhere to signages erected along the stretch to guide motorists.

For details, call 03-7494 7333 (LDP Helpline).