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 mentioned that in a media briefing right this moment on the Karak Freeway widening challenge, asking for persistence from motorists for the following 4 years.
For those who haven’t already heard, the KL-Karak Freeway and LPT1, which connects Klang Valley to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, might be widened all the best way from Gombak to Bentong. The RM2.1 billion challenge might be beginning in January 2025 and the challenge will take 48 months, or 4 years to finish. That’s the ‘ache’ Azmil was referring to, however from what we discovered right this moment, it is going to be well worth the wait.
Over time, 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 challenge with out utilizing public funds. Will there be a rise in toll fares? Azmil says he hopes so, however finally it’s within the fingers of the federal government.
So as to add a lane all the best way 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 might be upgraded to twin four-lanes, which suggests 4 lanes on either side, equal to a 25% capability improve for every route.
At current, it’s two lanes on either side from Genting Sempah to the Bentong toll plaza – this might be upgraded to a few. There gained’t be additional lanes for the Genting Sempah tunnel, which first half (Kuantan-KL) was accomplished in 1978 and second half (KL-Kuantan) opened in 1996. As a substitute, this challenge will embody a model new tunnel, constructed 30 metres to the left of right this moment’s eastbound tunnel.
We have been advised that with three tunnels, two can be utilized for one explicit route 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 visitors. With an ‘additional participant’ within the combine, upkeep works can be executed extra simply with none disruption.
Talking of disruptions, AFA Group’s senior VP Vijayaraj Govindarajoo says that there might be no lane closures all through this challenge, which is stunning contemplating the challenges concerned. As a substitute, they’ll make do with the emergency lane, however the group’s engineering chief acknowledged that when they put up cones/obstacles, motorists will routinely decelerate and there’s sure to be extra congestion.
Apart from an additional lane from Gombak to Bentong and the brand new tunnel, AFA Group says that the improved Karak/LPT1 will characteristic enhancements resembling a three-metre vast shoulder a.ok.a. emergency lane. Apparently, such a large shoulder is unusual for hilly highways, and this can enhance security.
One other side that may enhance security for customers is that the Karak/LPT1 might 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 important, embody slope stabilisation works, extending current vehicular field culverts as required, upgrading drainage programs to forestall flooding, relocating and reinstalling highway furnishings, and visitors administration throughout the building part. By the best way, there may even be no land acquisition for this challenge, as the additional lane will nonetheless be inside the freeway’s boundaries.
For those who’re somebody who travels between the Klang Valley and East Coast usually, you’ll absolutely welcome this improve and recognise that it’s an enormous endeavor by way of engineering and geography. Within the meantime, let’s bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian in 2029.
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