SUKE project will only increase traffic congestion, say Ampang residents

SUKE project will only increase traffic congestion, say Ampang residents

By MUHD BASYAR MUSTAPHA
basyar@thestar.com.my

MOST Ampang Jaya residents who attended the public briefing of Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) recently disapproved the proposed project.

The briefing was held by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and the project’s concessionaire company, Projek Lintasan Kota Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) at the MPAJ office.

Almost 350 residents mainly from Ampang Jaya, where the proposed elevated highway will pass through, attended the briefing.

The meeting became heated during the question-and-answer session as many residents were eager to ask questions and voice their concerns.

Checking out: Members of the public who attended the public briefing taking a closer look at maps showing the alignment of the highway.

Bukit Antarabangsa resident Dr Mohd Rafiq Abdul Rahman said what was presented by the panel was mainly a commercial briefing, not a detailed description of the project.

“Our experience with the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) is already awful due to its bad planning so we are not keen on another highway project.

“What the residents want now is a thorough and detailed presentation and the impact before and after the project is completed,” said Dr Mohd Rafiq.

Another Ampang Jaya resident, known only as Yap, said the project would not improve the traffic situation but would only make the MRR2 more congested.

“It is also contradicting the KL master plan draft which is to disperse traffic in the city centre,” he said.

Veronica from Taman HillView said she and her neighbours shared the same concerns over their safety as a few incidents had happened during another road project.

“A chunk of cement fell from an elevated road into my house compound. With this mega project, I don’t know what may happen next.

“We hope Prolintas will give priority to residents’ safety rather than how to cut cost if the project is carried out,” she said.

Prolintas group chief executive Zainuddin A. Kadir said all the concerns and suggestions raised would be taken into consideration.

“We have done research and the alignment of the highway, has been chosen for least impact on the environment.

“Even though many who came were opposing the highway, there were also some who could see its benefits,” said Zainudin.

MPAJ deputy president Abdul Hamid Hussain said the proposal had been presented at state level but had not been finalised by the state and Prolintas yet.

“The project is still in the proposal stage and we want to hear the public views and concerns.

Prolintas will hold meetings with residents’ representatives in other areas where the SUKE will pass through.

The 31.8km elevated expressway will link major highways in the eastern Klang Valley, including the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Besraya, KL-Seremban Highway, Cheras-Kajang Highway, Kesas and MRR2.

SUKE will start in Sri Petaling before passing through Sungai Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras-Kajang, Taman Bukit Permai, Taman Putra, Taman Permai Jaya, Taman Dagang Permai, Taman Kosas, Ampang and Taman Hillview and exit at Ulu Kelang.

There will be 14 interchanges at Sri Petaling, Sungai Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras-Kajang, Taman Bukit Teratai, Taman Putra, Taman Permai, Taman Dagang, Ampang, Taman Hillview and Ulu Kelang.

Three toll plazas will be built along the expressway at Pekan Ampang, Alam Damai and between Taman Bukit Permai 2 and Taman Bukit Segar Jaya.