PETALING JAYA: Roads across the country saw a steady flow of returning travellers with traffic building up at several locations along major highways.
Checks via the Malaysian Highway Authority surveillance cameras at about 4.30pm yesterday evening showed a sharp increase in vehicles, with congestion and slow moving traffic at several locations including Changkat Jering along the North-South expressway (NSE).
A spokesman for PLUS, the concessionaire for the NSE, said many parts of the highway reported slow moving traffic following an 80% increase in vehicles.
“The high number of motorcycles on the NSE also contributed to the congestion as bikers switched lanes, causing other motorists to slow down.
“We expect the vehicle volume to continue rising,” he said.
He added that there were several minor accidents along the NSE stretch and reports of vehicles breaking down.
Amid the crawl on the NSE, a large number of south-bound motorists used the West Coast Expressway (WCE) as an alternative route.
WCE highway operations head Syed Muhd Naguib Syed Mohd said the expressway’s coastal alignment offers a faster and less hilly option for many motorists travelling between the north and south, Klang Valley and coastal destinations.
“This has made WCE a viable alternative, especially during festive return periods when congestion builds up on other major highways,” he added.
He said that recent data showed a clear shift in traffic patterns during the festive season with more highway users opting for the WCE when congestion worsens elsewhere.
Syed Muhd Naguib said on regular days, the WCE records daily traffic volumes of between 100,000 and 120,000 vehicles.
However, he said during festive return journeys, traffic surged significantly with an increase of up to 50%, as seen during last month’s Chinese New Year and the current Hari Raya travel.
Syed Muhd Naguib said although there was a growing use of the WCE, parts of the highway network remain incomplete.
He said several stretches in Selangor are only expected to be opened over the period of a year and the expressway is slated for full completion by March 2027.
“For now, motorists are required to exit at designated interchanges and continue their journey via federal or state roads, particularly when heading towards certain parts of the Klang Valley and coastal areas,” he said.
He advised motorists to have adequate rest and plan their journey wisely before setting off.
“There are six rest areas along the WCE if motorist need to take a break,” he added.
