PJ folk fear elevated expressway will bring down property value

PROPERTIES facing and in close proximity to an elevated highway may lose up to 40% of their value, says a registered valuer.

James KM Tan said many owners might experience this if the cancelled Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) made a comeback.

He was among residents who gathered in Petaling Jaya to air their concerns.

“I analysed properties with elevated highways passing through.

“The value can go down by up to 40% for properties facing the highway and those about 100m away.

“This is because of the noise, dust and other inconveniences.Rosli says PJD Link’s alignment is only slightly different from the axed Kidex.

“It is not true that only the row facing highways will be affected.

“Many residential areas along major highways in Petaling Jaya have experienced a drop in market value.

“Businesses along the alignment will also be affected.

“You can see this in several existing elevated expressways.

“Environmental degradation and community disruption would take place.

“The occupancy rate of these properties will also drop,” said Tan when met during a press conference organised by Section 14/1 to 14/5 Residents Association at its cabin in Petaling Jaya.

Dr Rosli Khan, an independent highway consultant who studied Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) which was axed by the state government, described PJD Link as “an old project in a new form”.

“The alignment is only slightly different from Kidex,” he said.

Resident Wong Mei Ching, whose house faces Jalan Harapan in Petaling Jaya, said PJD Link would impact her property.

On July 31, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state decided to cancel the plan as it was not satisfied with the social impact assessment submitted.

PJD Link is a proposed 25.4km dual-lane tolled elevated expressway connecting Damansara to Bandar Kinrara in Selangor.

Stakeholders and Residents Against PJD Link (ScRAP) chairman David Yoong Lai Hon said residents feared a new social impact assessment for PJD Link had been submitted.

He said the ideal solution for intercity congestion was public transportation and not a highway.