Congestion ‘cannot be avoided’ with RTS Link construction

JOHOR BARU: Road users in the city should brace for more traffic congestion in the second and third quarter of the year as the construction of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link reaches its peak, says the Johor Baru mayor.

Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said many roads are expected to be closed from April until September to make way for the ongoing cross border rail construction project that will link Johor Baru and Singapore.

“This will no doubt affect the already heavy traffic congestion, but it cannot be avoided. Rest assured, we are looking at ways to address the situation,” he said after launching phase two of the Kaze Hill residential project by Linbaq Holding in Tiram here yesterday.

Traffic snarls in the city centre such as on Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Tebrau are common these days due to the ongoing construction and high vehicle volume.

Mohd Noorazam added that the council is also in talks with KTM Bhd to improve connectivity once the Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Track project (EDTP) is completed by next year.

“Similar to the RTS Link, we want to provide passengers with good connectivity after arriving at the station; to bring people to the sub-urban areas and vice versa using public transport and park and ride facilities,” he added.