KUALA LUMPUR: The government is studying an alternative route for the Gombak-Bentong highway to ease congestion at the Gombak toll plaza, especially during festive season, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the ministry was looking at either new alignment or upgrading the existing road.
"Based on observations, the congestion at the KL-bound Gombak toll plaza is caused by the backflow from the MRR2 (Middle Ring Road 2) towards Gombak, Batu Caves, which in turn causes bottleneck at the toll plaza.
"Meanwhile, the traffic towards Ampang is no longer congested following the road widening project by the Public Works Department," he said in his wrap-up speech.
Fadillah said the study would take into consideration return of investment, which covered the environmental and social impact assessment.
He said the Gombak toll plaza's full traffic capacity (KL-bound) currently stood at 158,000, with an average of 126,000 vehicles plying the route during peak hours and 180,000 to 200,000 of traffic volume during the festive season.
Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Pas-Kuala Krai) had earlier asked on the ministry's plans to address congestion problem on main highways.
Fadillah earlier said the government had reviewed various factors and implications on suggestions for toll abolishment, especially on the financial aspect.
He said a cabinet memorandum in relation to the matter would be submitted for approval.
Fadillah also said construction works on the East Coast Highway 3 (LPT3's) phase 3, involving cost of RM35million would start this month and scheduled to complete in April 2022.