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 often called Anih Berhad, AFA is the concessionaire for the KL-Karak Freeway and Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT) 1. He stated that in a media briefing as we speak on the Karak Freeway widening mission, asking for persistence from motorists for the following 4 years.
Should you haven’t already heard, the KL-Karak Freeway and LPT1, which connects Klang Valley to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, will likely be widened all the way in which from Gombak to Bentong. The RM2.1 billion mission will likely be beginning in January 2025 and the mission will take 48 months, or 4 years to finish. That’s the ‘ache’ Azmil was referring to, however from what we discovered as we speak, it will likely be well worth the wait.
Over time, site 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 mission 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 way in which from Gombak to Bentong is a big 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 likely be upgraded to twin four-lanes, which implies 4 lanes on either side, equal to a 25% capability improve for every course.
At current, it’s two lanes on either side from Genting Sempah to the Bentong toll plaza – this will likely be upgraded to 3. There gained’t be further lanes for the Genting Sempah tunnel, which first half (Kuantan-KL) was accomplished in 1978 and second half (KL-Kuantan) opened in 1996. As an alternative, this mission will embody a model new tunnel, constructed 30 metres to the left of as we speak’s eastbound tunnel.
We have been advised that with three tunnels, two can be utilized for one specific course when it’s tremendous busy, say eastbound throughout the balik kampung exodus. When Hari Raya holidays come to an finish, two tunnels can be utilized for westbound site visitors. With an ‘further 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 likely be no lane closures all through this mission, which is stunning contemplating the challenges concerned. As an alternative, they’ll make do with the emergency lane, however the group’s engineering chief acknowledged that when they put up cones/obstacles, motorists will mechanically 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 function enhancements corresponding to a three-metre large shoulder a.okay.a. emergency lane. Apparently, such a large shoulder is unusual for hilly highways, and it will enhance security.
One other side that may enhance security for customers is that the Karak/LPT1 will likely be totally lighted up – at the moment, solely the primary half of the stretch has lights.
These are the enhancements that we are able to see. These that aren’t seen, however no much less very important, embody slope stabilisation works, extending present vehicular field culverts as required, upgrading drainage techniques to forestall flooding, relocating and reinstalling highway furnishings, and site visitors administration throughout the building part. By the way in which, there may also be no land acquisition for this mission, as the additional lane will nonetheless be inside the freeway’s boundaries.
Should you’re somebody who travels between the Klang Valley and East Coast typically, you’ll certainly welcome this improve and recognise that it’s an enormous endeavor when it comes to engineering and geography. Within the meantime, let’s bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian in 2029.
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