NIBONG TEBAL: A “killer curve” along the North-South Expressway not far from the mainland’s southern Penang state border is one stretch you must be wary of on your Chinese New Year balik kampung trip.
Slow down as you near the Jawi interchange – no matter if you are heading north or south – because, firstly, there is a 3km-long circular route along the expressway north of this interchange which is not safe to tackle at high speeds.
Then, because of years of rapid development in South Seberang Perai District, the Jawi interchange gets heavy traffic entering and exiting the expressway particularly in the mornings and evenings.“We will talk with Federal authorities about reducing the speed limit at this stretch to 90kph,” said state infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari yesterday.
“When you drive past Sungai Bakap, Jawi and Nibong Tebal, you only see oil palm plantations but actually, this part has been developing so well that the townships here have tens of thousands of locals using the expressway as their daily commuting route.
“Motorists from afar are understandably not aware of this so when they get to this stretch, the heavy traffic catches them by surprise. We must slow down the traffic,” he said.
Minor accidents frequently happen near the Jawi interchange that go unreported but last Thursday, three lorries flipped off the expressway after a crash at KM157.6 while heading north – causing a 10km crawl in both directions.