PETALING JAYA: An estimated 2.6 million vehicles per day are expected to traverse the country's major highways during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
The Highway Authority anticipates increased traffic on major highways from the capital to the north, east, and south due to the celebration on Jan 29.
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"Traffic leaving the capital during the holiday period is expected to rise between Jan 24 and 28, while traffic returning to the capital will peak between Feb 1 and 2," it stated on Wednesday (Jan 22).
The Highway Authority estimates the highest traffic volume to reach 2.6 million vehicles per day on major highways during the Chinese New Year period.
Of this, about 2.2 million vehicles are expected to use the North-South Expressway, 198,000 on the KL-Karak Expressway, 82,000 on the East Coast Expressway Phase 1, 48,000 on East Coast Expressway Phase 2, and 120,000 on the West Coast Expressway (WCE).
To alleviate congestion during the Chinese New Year period, the Highway Authority has implemented measures including ensuring no lane closures by highway concession companies, except for emergency works from Jan 23 to Feb 3.
Other measures include activating smart lanes at 25 congestion hotspots on the North-South Expressway, enhancing traffic management at toll plazas and intersections, activating tidal flow lanes, and adding toll counters with portable readers.
The Highway Authority also mentioned that a restriction period for heavy vehicles on Jan 27 to 28 and Feb 1 to 2 is expected to improve traffic flow.
Repair and upgrading works for facilities at 38 rest and service areas (R&R), lay-bys, and toll plazas were completed last year.
This initiative will continue this year, with temporary facilities provided to replace those currently under maintenance.
PLUS has also provided around 50 temporary cabin-type toilets, which are more comfortable compared to conventional portable toilets, along the North-South Expressway to meet users' needs during this festive season.
Users are advised to follow instructions issued by PLUS. If an R&R area is congested, users are encouraged to continue their journey and stop at the next available R&R area, lay-by, or toll plaza.
Highway users can contact the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) at 1-800-88-7752 for real-time traffic information or assistance.
Updates on traffic status and incidents on highways are available via the Highway Authority Facebook page, the X App (@llmtrafik), and TikTok (@llmtrafik), its WhatsApp Channel LLM Info Trafik, and its website at www.llm.gov.my.
For live traffic conditions, CCTV feeds are accessible.
