ISKANDAR PUTERI: The proposed final alignment for the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit (E-ART) system is expected to be known in three months, says Johor exco member Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic).
The state works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman added that E-ART would cover three main corridors: Skudai, Tebrau and Iskandar Puteri.
“These corridors will be integrated at the main interchange station in Bukit Chagar to subsequently support the Rapid Transit Link (RTS),” he told the state assembly on Monday (May 19).
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Datuk Ramlee Bohani (BN-Kempas) had asked about the government’s measures to address worsening traffic congestion in Johor Baru.
Fazli said the E-ART initiative was subject to the outcome of the request for proposal (RFP) assessment.
“The Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) has initiated the RFP process for the implementation of the system, aimed at completing the integrated transport system in Greater Johor Baru.
“The proposed final alignment is expected to be known as early as August, subject to the outcome of the evaluation,” he said.
Fazli added that the implementation of the E-ART was expected to provide significant benefits in reducing traffic congestion, enhancing daily mobility, and supporting the state’s low-carbon agenda.
He also said the state government has drawn up a traffic dispersal plan by establishing the Greater JB Traffic Dispersal Special Committee.
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Fazli added that this state-level special committee was formed to identify congestion hotspots and draft traffic dispersal plans.
“So far, 77 areas of congestion have been identified, and more than 20 locations have already seen action taken.
“This committee has also proposed measures such as installing lane barriers, traffic info boards, and enforcement during peak hours, which have been presented in the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Congestion and Safety.
“One of the hotspots where a dispersal plan has been implemented is the closure of Jalan Ledang heading to the Skudai Highway (exit from Taman Johor to Skudai), which has successfully reduced traffic pressure in the area,” he said.
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Fazli added that the government was also reviewing the need to increase road capacity, including road widening, the construction of new bypasses, and regular maintenance.
He said this was to ensure that the traffic system can accommodate the growing number of vehicles and the rapid development in the Johor Baru area.
“This plan includes the construction of new roads, widening of existing roads, and a more modern traffic management system to support future economic growth and traffic density.
“Therefore, the state government has submitted a list of 18 proposed projects worth nearly RM1bil to the consultants for the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) study, to evaluate which projects should be prioritised for approval,” he added.
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