KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on the country’s main highways out of the Klang Valley was reported to be congested Thursday (March 19) afternoon following a sharp increase in the number of vehicles ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
A Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesperson, when contacted by Bernama, said that for northbound traffic, the worst congestion was detected on the Tapah-to-Gopeng stretch following a fatal crash at KM296.7.
“Although clearance works at the crash site have been completed, rainy weather in the area is contributing to slower vehicle movement,” the spokesperson said Thursday.
In addition, traffic was reported to be moving slowly on the Bukit Lanjan–Rawang stretch, Taiping–Bukit Merah, Jawi–Bandar Cassia, and from Juru towards Bertam.
For southbound routes, traffic was slow-moving from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to Kajang, as well as from Bandar Sri Putra to the Seremban Rest and Service Area (R&R).
High traffic volume also caused congestion on the Port Dickson–Senawang stretch, Pedas Linggi–Simpang Ampat, and in the Kulai area towards Sedenak.
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Meanwhile, on the east coast, congestion was reported from the Gombak Toll Plaza to Bukit Tinggi, while on the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), traffic was slow from Cheneh towards Chukai and around the Kuala Terengganu Toll Plaza.
LLM expects traffic volume to continue increasing until midnight, as today is the last day of the 50% toll discount offer.
The government previously announced a toll discount in conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which took effect from 12.01am Wednesday (March 18) and will end at 11.59pm Thursday.
Road users are advised to plan their journeys carefully and obtain the latest traffic information via LLM’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-7752 to avoid being caught in prolonged congestion. — Bernama
