KUALA LUMPUR: The emergency lane will be open to traffic along two stretches of the North–South Expressway for Chinese New Year.
Plus Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the emergency lane from Slim River to Sungkai (north) would be open from Feb 1 to 4, and stretch from Simpang Pulai to Gopeng (south) stretch would be open on Feb 9 and 10 to ease traffic flow.
“We have discussed with police to open the emergency lanes on these two critical routes in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration,” he told a press conference after an appreciation luncheon event for the media and PLUS staff.
“They gave us the green light to do so as this will ease traffic as well as reduce road accidents.
“Policemen, PLUS patrol team, emergency response team and tow trucks will be on standby at the two locations.
“Signboards will be placed at the beginning of the routes to indicate that road users are allowed to use the emergency lanes.”
Azman advised road users to start their journeys early to avoid being stuck in massive traffic jams.
He said the travel time advisory for the North-South Expressway was before 10am for Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Johor from Jan 31 to Feb 10, and after 10am for the other states.
He said 5,000 highway personnel would be on standby to assist road users.
“The Touch ‘N Go reload lanes at the toll plazas will be closed between Jan 31 and Feb 11 for a smoother passage for traffic.
“Road works will stop temporarily between Feb 1 and 10.”
He said the government would announce toll discounts in conjunction with the festivities soon.