Infrastructure master plan vital for Sungai Buloh

Most of the roads in Sungai Buloh are congested due to rapid growth in the area.

The infrastructure has not kept pace with development and traffic will become worse when Kwasa Damansara is developed.

The Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) will ease the congestion somewhat for Kwasa Damansara.

However, there are a few bottlenecks on other roads in Sungai Buloh, which the Public Works Department (JKR) needs to address urgently.

Jalan Welfare in Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh must be widened to ease frequent traffic jams and also cater to the many heavy vehicles headed to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) nearby.

However, Jalan Welfare can only be widened through land acquisition as the road reserve has already been utilised for drainage.

Jalan Baru, which was an alternative entry point, was closed in 2008 when upgrading of the Sungai Buloh-Subang road was done.

As a result, the only access to the SME hub and residential area is Jalan Welfare.

To ease congestion, a flyover can be built near the Shell station to enable the Jalan Baru junction to be reopened to heavy vehicles.

Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) needs to be proactive in resolving these problems.

Kwasa Damansara needs to expedite road construction between Kota Damansara and Subang Bestari near the EPF headquarters to ease congestion and also open a new route to surrounding areas.

State government planning departments must ensure that main roads, especially in new housing and industrial estates, are built on level ground.

Some of the worst traffic jams are caused by uphill and steep stretches that slow movement of vehicles, in addition to using a lot of fuel and creating air pollution.

No matter how much traffic light timings are adjusted, the congestion here cannot be resolved effectively.

Vehicles exiting from Sungai Buloh toll plaza are immediately caught in a massive jam at the traffic light junction opposite Sierramas because of a sharp turn that heavy vehicles have to negotiate to head towards Kepong or Damansara Damai.

As such, the number of vehicles that can get through when the light is green is limited and congestion builds up.

The bridge is too narrow and needs to be widened.

Many bridges on the North-South Expressway were widened in view of increased vehicular usage a few years ago, but this one was left out.

Both the Works Ministry and JKR Petaling must look into this.

There is a need for an infrastructure master plan for Sungai Buloh now that surrounding areas such as Kwasa Damansara, City of Elmina and Gamuda Gardens are undergoing massive development.

Piecemeal and short-term widening of existing roads cannot cope with future traffic.

Sungai Buloh has a unique distinction of being managed by three local authorities – MBSA, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

It is hoped that there will be better cooperation and coordination especially for infrastructure development.

Even though the government is encouraging the use of public transport, the number of vehicles is expected to increase, especially in the Klang Valley.

V. Thomas

Sungai Buloh