IT IS confirmed! Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad in Brickfields will be turned into a one-way street.

A source close to the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry said the proposal which is part of the Package 3 of the RM110mil stimulus package to ease congestion in Brickfields and Bangsar will proceed and work is expected to start at the end of the year.

“There is no way out of this. Turning Jalan Tun Sambanthan into a one-way streets is the most viable solution to solve the township’s traffic woes,” said the source.

More than 40 associations in Brickfields signed a letter of objection that was sent to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail on Nov 9 last year objecting to the plan to turn Jalan Tun Sambanthan and several inner roads in Brickfields into one-way streets. They said the move would worsen the congestion in the area.

Big problem: The traffic congestion in Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

In a meeting with Fuad last year, the residets and the business community made it clear that they were against the proposal.

They were then told to submit their views stating the reasons why they don’t want the project and were invited to provide suggestions for improvement.

When contacted, Brickfields RT chairman S.K.K. Naidu said he would be disappointed if news was true.

“It is a bad idea to go through with it and the decision is a show of disrespect to the community of Brickfields. It will show that they have not heard a word we have said to them or even considered our proposals,” Naidu said.

“There are 12 schools along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and turning it into a one-way street would cause more traffic congestion and endanger the lives of the schoolchildren as well as disrupt the lives of people living in the area,” he said.

“Just look at the situation at the Kuen Cheng school on the Federal Highway. When school is over, the traffic jam stretches all the way to Jalan Kampung Attap. Here, we have 12 schools, so imagine the congestion,” Naidu added.

Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan had said in a press conference several months ago that plans were being implemented to overcome the micro elements of the traffic dispersal project in Brickfields.

One such proposal to overcome the congestion on the Jalan Tun Sambanthan main road was to have a dedicated lane only for buses.

Saravanan said he would personally ensure that enforcement was carried out so that the lane was not used by cars as well and resolve the safety concerns highlighted by the residents.

On the safety measures taken in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Saravanan said the road would have three walkways and two zebra crossings, and there was even a proposal to have guard railings to separate the main carriageway from the walkway.

The proposed traffic solutions under the RM110mil stimulus plan are:

Package 1: Construction of a flyover at the Jalan Travers/Jalan Bangsar intersection

Package 2: Construction of a flyover from KL Sentral to Jalan Damansara and Mahameru Highway

Package 3: Upgrading of Jalan Tun Sambanthan

Package 4: Construction of pedestrian bridges and linkages

Package 5: Upgrading and repair of roads in and near KL Sentral

Package 6: Construction of elevated road from Jalan Bangsar to Jalan Maarof.

The project contractor Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad has already started work on Package 1 and 2.

By: http://thestar.com.my