Highway users have expressed confidence that the implementation of the traffic dispersal project between the PTJSD will bring significant benefits.
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Highway users and nearby residents have expressed confidence that the implementation of the traffic dispersal project between the Juru and Sungai Dua Toll Plaza (PTJSD) will bring significant benefits, particularly easing congestion and improving driving comfort.
Most of them hope that the upgraded infrastructure, officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, will improve their daily commute.
Hafizah Ahmad, 48, a civil servant from Bertam, Kepala Batas, said the much-anticipated project will alleviate the congestion along the route, especially during peak hours.
“I use this route daily to get to work in Butterworth. Sometimes, I have to take the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) to avoid congestion. This project will certainly address the problem and ease the commute for many users.
“This project will not only benefit residents in Seberang Perai who work on the island, but also highway users travelling north or south, who will enjoy smoother journeys,” she told Bernama.
Another highway user, Kenny Khor, 44, also welcomed the project, saying it would help separate highway traffic from local routes, thereby reducing congestion.
Khor, who lives in Sungai Petani, Kedah, and runs a business in Penang, said he often gets caught in traffic jams in the area, not only on weekdays but also during festive seasons.
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“Currently, all vehicles share the same route, whether travelling long distances north or south, or for local trips. Once this project is completed, traffic flow will be more organised, travel time reduced, and the commute will be more comfortable for users,” he said.
Retiree Ali Akbar Abdul Razak, 65, from Butterworth, hailed the project, noting that he often travels to his children’s homes on the island.
“I believe this traffic dispersal project will bring many benefits to everyone who commutes along this route, as we get stuck in congestion every day. I’m excited about this project, as it will make travel easier and faster,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee Chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government applauded the implementation of the PTJSD project, especially as residents have long faced congestion between the Sungai Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas.
He explained that the project will separate through traffic from local traffic, reducing vehicle conflicts, which are a major cause of congestion. The construction of dedicated express lanes and separate exits will also ensure smoother, faster, and safer travel.
“The state government views the project as a major upgrade to our road network and is confident it will directly benefit the public through smoother traffic flow and a more comfortable daily commuting experience,” he said.
On Oct 21, PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) announced that Package 1 of the PTJSD has commenced, involving the upgrading of the roundabout at KM135.15-KM135.4 of the East-West Elevated Intersection (Butterworth-Kulim Expressway) and the construction of a new flyover at Jalan Tun Hussein Onn (KM133.5-KM134.5), which is scheduled to take 24 months.
It added that, overall, the PTJSD is a high-impact project that will benefit about 200,000 daily users by reducing congestion on the route.
The PTJSD will also support balanced development in the northern region and strengthen the national logistics network, boosting economic growth in Seberang Perai, Kepala Batas, and northern Penang, while creating job opportunities and generating economic benefits for the local community.
The project is one of the main initiatives for Penang announced by the Prime Minister when he tabled Budget 2025 on Oct 18 last year, alongside the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the expansion of the Penang International Airport and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3.
