New highway to reduce traffic congestion and shorten travelling time

15 April 2010 , By The Star

Motorists can look forward to a smoother drive to most destinations within the Johor Baru district when the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) highway is ready by 2012.

The highway is expected to reduce traffic congestion on most major roads i n this district and shorten travelling time by almost half.

Presently, the most congested roads here are Jalan Tun Razak with 150,000 vehicles daily, Jalan Tebrau/Pandan (111,000), Jalan Skudai/Jalan Abu Bakar and Jalan Stulang (30,000 each).

“Work is progressing well and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2 011.

Motorists will be able to use the expressway by February 2012,” said Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) executive director Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid.

The 30-year concession, including four-year construction period, for the EDL was awarded to MRCB’s wholly-owned subsidiary MRCB Lingkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd (MLSSB).

The 8.1km expressway is an open toll system with dual thre e-lane carriageway providing direct link between the Bukit Chagar Customs, Immigration and Qu arantine complex and the North-South Expressway via the Pandan interchange.

He said of the 8.1km stretch, 4.4km would be elevated wh ile 3.7km were “at-grate” (ground level) and it would be the first highway in Malaysia to have an automatic number plate re gistration system to monitor traffic movement and number of vehicles using the highway.

Zaki said toll charges were for traffic going to and from Sing apore, using the electronic payment system, while local motorists could use the highway for free.

“The EDL will also help to boost development in the eastern part of Johor Baru which has been earmarked for major development under Iskandar Malaysia,” h e highlighted.

He added t hat MLSSB would be upgrading existing city roads including Jalan Stulang Dara and Jalan Pasir Pelangi and several intersections namely Jalan Biru, Jalan Sutera , Jalan Serampang and Jalan Bakar Batu as well as the access road to Jalan Permas Jaya.