PETALING JAYA: City-dwellers are enthusiastic in regards to the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) proposal to construct a SMART Tunnel right here, saying it will ease visitors gridlock and enhance stormwater administration within the metropolis.
Nurin Iwanee Mardhiah, 25, who lives in Section 19, stated the SMART Tunnel could be an excellent addition to the town’s infrastructure given the visitors she experiences on her each day commute to work.
“Even the 6km drive from my home to work in Section 51 can take round 40 minutes, being caught in visitors throughout peak hours,” she instructed eNM.
While she expects some non permanent congestion in the course of the tunnel’s building, Nurin believes the longer-term advantages outweigh any short-term inconvenience.
“I believe the SMART Tunnel can be useful for the long run, particularly since Petaling Jaya’s inhabitants is growing,” she stated.
On May 29, the Petaling Jaya City Council introduced the proposed building of a 1.98km SMART Tunnel to alleviate visitors congestion within the space and for flood mitigation.
The proposed tunnel is meant to traverse Sections 51 and 51A, Federal Highway Route 2, and the New Pantai Expressway at an estimated complete value of RM350 million.
Fauzi Hassan, one other Section 19 resident, stated there was no motive for residents to protest the mission, given the tunnels’ twin advantages.
The 66-year-old defined that the SMART Tunnel is designed to channel and direct water into reservoirs, particularly throughout extreme flooding.
“There are advantages to the mission. When individuals don’t perceive the SMART Tunnel idea, they may protest it. If they knew the advantages, they wouldn’t,” he stated.
eNM beforehand reported stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link (ScRAP) group chairman David Yoong arguing towards the SMART Tunnel’s building, citing its excessive value and lack of visitors research on the Jalan 51A/223 congestion.
Yoong urged cheaper options like a flyover, which he claimed could be cheaper.
However, Fauzi defended the tunnel’s value and stated it was affordable as a flyover would occupy extra land area and have an effect on close by residential areas.
Ee Chern Yang, 30, additionally expressed help for the mission, however hopes it is not going to trigger disruption to residents by way of heavy visitors and noise, particularly from giant automobiles.
Presently, he stated, visitors can get significantly dangerous, particularly throughout peak hours.
“Every time they attempt to assemble a brand new factor or new highway, there can be extra visitors jams on the freeway or close by roads. But after that, it is going to enhance the state of affairs of the highway,” he stated.
‘Too pricey, not helpful’
Samrull Hairay, a resident staying in Section 51, referred to as the mission a waste of the individuals’s cash, saying that there was no want for a SMART Tunnel within the metropolis.
“We haven’t heard that the areas the place they need to construct it are flood-prone. The tunnel’s distance is 1.98km and its building value is within the thousands and thousands, so I really feel it’s a waste,” he stated.
The 39-year-old stated the federal government ought to concentrate on enhancing current roads and drainage programs to deal with visitors and flooding points successfully.
“The tunnel’s building might result in different points akin to congestion. So, I believe the best choice is to enhance what’s already there,” he stated.
