KUALA LUMPUR: The Sri Damansara Link (SDL) of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke) will be open to motorists from midnight tonight.
The SDL will connect the MRR2 at the Bandar Menjalara Interchange and the existing Duke at Jalan Segambut.
The opening of the SDL effectively completes Phase Two of the Duke project. The Tun Razak Link (TRL) was open to the public on Sept 28.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the 7km link is expected to ease traffic congestion for about 30,000 road users and increase connectivity to alternative routes to head towards the city centre from Sri Damansara, Rawang, Kepong and Sungai Buloh.
"The SDL can also help alleviate congestion at the intersections of MRR2 and Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong.
"Apart from allowing easier accessibility for the public, the journey time has been trimmed and drivers can also save time, fuel and ultimately also reduce car maintenance cost," he said after the launch of the SDL here today.
Fadillah said the uniqueness of the SDL is that it is also equipped with a rest and services area called SEGAR.
"SEGAR comes with several purposes and incorporates a toll plaza, parking, commercial spaces and an elevated interchange.
"Segar will also be equipped with a new KTM Komuter station, which will be completed within the next two years.
"To date SEGAR provides 300 parking lots and has the potential to be expanded to be able to cater to 4,000 car parks in the future," he added.
Fadillah added that the completion of the SDL has proved that local engineers, contractors and professionals are credible as they managed to deliver high quality work.
In conjunction with the opening of the SDL, KESTURI as the concessionaire holders, will be offering a toll free period to all its highway users for all classes of vehicles at the Segambut Toll Plaza for a period of one month beginning today until Nov 22.
Also present at the launch was Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Md Salleh, Ekovest Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Ho, and North-East Highway consultant Managing director Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng.