Issues will worsen earlier than it will get higher. That’s a line from Tan Sri Azmil Khalili Khalid, chairman of the AFA Group. Previously referred to as Anih Berhad, AFA is the concessionaire for the KL-Karak Freeway and Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT) 1. He mentioned that in a media briefing in the present day on the Karak Freeway widening venture, asking for endurance from motorists for the following 4 years.
For those who haven’t already heard, the KL-Karak Freeway and LPT1, which connects Klang Valley to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, will probably be widened all the best way from Gombak to Bentong. The RM2.1 billion venture will probably be beginning in January 2025 and the venture will take 48 months, or 4 years to finish. That’s the ‘ache’ Azmil was referring to, however from what we realized in the present day, will probably be well worth the wait.
Through the years, visitors has been getting heavier on the Karak/LPT1, and the congestion throughout weekends, and particularly throughout festivals, is dangerous, to place it mildly. The necessity for an growth is there, and AFA Group is spearheading this venture with out utilizing public funds. Will there be a rise in toll fares? Azmil says he hopes so, however finally it’s within the palms of the federal government.
So as to add a lane all the best way from Gombak to Bentong is a large endeavor when you think about the terrain concerned – up and down the mountain vary, with a tunnel too. In a nutshell, the present twin three-lanes from the Gombak toll plaza to Genting Sempah will probably be upgraded to twin four-lanes, which suggests 4 lanes on all sides, equal to a 25% capability enhance for every route.
At current, it’s two lanes on all sides from Genting Sempah to the Bentong toll plaza – this will probably be upgraded to a few. There gained’t be additional lanes for the Genting Sempah tunnel, which first half (Kuantan-KL) was accomplished in 1978 and second half (KL-Kuantan) opened in 1996. As a substitute, this venture will embody a model new tunnel, constructed 30 metres to the left of in the present day’s eastbound tunnel.
We have been instructed that with three tunnels, two can be utilized for one explicit route when it’s tremendous busy, say eastbound in the course of the balik kampung exodus. When Hari Raya holidays come to an finish, two tunnels can be utilized for westbound visitors. With an ‘additional participant’ within the combine, upkeep works can be achieved extra simply with none disruption.
Talking of disruptions, AFA Group’s senior VP Vijayaraj Govindarajoo says that there will probably be no lane closures all through this venture, which is shocking contemplating the challenges concerned. As a substitute, they may make do with the emergency lane, however the group’s engineering chief acknowledged that when they put up cones/obstacles, motorists will routinely decelerate and there’s sure to be extra congestion.
Other than an additional lane from Gombak to Bentong and the brand new tunnel, AFA Group says that the improved Karak/LPT1 will characteristic enhancements resembling a three-metre broad shoulder a.ok.a. emergency lane. Apparently, such a large shoulder is rare for hilly highways, and this can enhance security.
One other facet that can enhance security for customers is that the Karak/LPT1 will probably be totally lighted up – at present, solely the primary half of the stretch has lights.
These are the enhancements that we will see. These that aren’t seen, however no much less important, embody slope stabilisation works, extending present vehicular field culverts as required, upgrading drainage methods to forestall flooding, relocating and reinstalling street furnishings, and visitors administration in the course of the building section. By the best way, there may also be no land acquisition for this venture, as the additional lane will nonetheless be inside the freeway’s boundaries.
For those who’re somebody who travels between the Klang Valley and East Coast usually, you’ll certainly welcome this improve and recognise that it’s a large endeavor by way of engineering and geography. Within the meantime, let’s bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian in 2029.
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