Causeway CIQ began testing contra flow lanes to ease traffic

JOHOR BARU: The Causeway customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex has started its dry-run to test contra-flow lanes to ease traffic congestion, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The Johor Mentri Besar said the trial, which started on Wednesday (Oct 11), showed major improvements to the traffic flow.

He said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi also observed the test before attending a task force meeting to address the traffic congestion at the state’s two land checkpoints.

“Aside from the Causeway, we are looking at activating contra-flow lanes at the Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ where the Second Link is.

“This will involve not just bus commuters but also other vehicles as we want to prioritise all users,” he said in a press conference after the task force meeting," said Onn Hafiz.

In June, Onn Hafiz proposed contra-flow lanes to solve the longstanding traffic congestion problem at the Causeway and Second Link.

Once implemented, the contra-flow lanes will be activated for vehicles and pedestrians during specific periods, such as public holidays and school holidays, when traffic congestion could stretch for hours.

The Mentri Besar said more time is needed to study the possibility of providing daily commuters a third and shorter route into the immigration clearance area BSI.

He added that the federal government was still looking into the matter as safety and security must be considered.

“The shortcut is being studied carefully. There were also suggestions to provide shuttle bus services for pedestrians from the Stulang area to enter the CIQ.

“Before it (the shortcut) was closed, accidents had taken place, and casualties might occur if allowed to go on.

“Negligence is another concern. That was why the Home Ministry decided to stop entry via that route,” he added.

The Star previously highlighted that hundreds of pedestrians, including pregnant women and senior citizens, had asked for the shortcut near Jalan Lingkaran Dalam to be reopened after it was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.