Change but No Improvement (Rothman Roundabout)

PETALING JAYA- The conversion of Rothman roundabout to traffic light junctions has finally reached its completion stage a month after the proposed date. However, these nine-months of transformation work which cost RM4.2 million showed no improvements in reducing the traffic congestion during peak hours at the busy junctions that connects to SS2 and Section 19 of Petaling Jaya.

According to Petaling Jaya Traffic Police Chief DSP Wong Siw Chooh, traffic lights do not differ much compared to roundabouts. It does not help to reduce the traffic flow as every driver has to wait for at least 3 minutes to move along the roads. Eventually, more cars are queuing at every traffic light junctions and extend the waiting time.

DSP Wong also believes that converting the roads to a one-way flow is the best way to reduce congestion as motorists are then forced to detour, thus reducing the traffic flow at that area.

This first phase of the project which includes the addition of a lane to Jalan harapan, Jalan 19/8, Jalan 19/1 and Jalan Universiti leading to the roundabout has affected people from all walks of life as residential areas, companies, factories and also education centres are highly concentrated at this point. Students and working adults can be seen leaving the area hurriedly to avoid the jam during the rush hours.

Upgrading work which links Jalan Harapan to Sprint Highway is expected to begin March next year. This second phase is expected to cost RM5.3 million and would further ease the congestion at Rothman.

Reported by:

Cherilynn Joanne De Silva 0908596

Chwee Sher Maine 0909005

Lai Mun Yee 0908498

Puveneswari d/o Vasanthan 0902756

Wong Wan Yi 0908500

References

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