Kota Iskandar: The final alignment proposal for the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit (E-ART) system is expected to be announced this August, the Johor State Legislative Assembly was told today. State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, said it is subject to the outcome of the Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation by the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UKAS has initiated the RFP process for the E-ART system implementation as part of efforts to complete the integrated transportation network in Greater Johor Bahru. The E-ART system will cover three main corridors: Skudai, Tebrau, and Iskandar Puteri, and will be integrated at the main interchange station at Bukit Chagar. This system will ultimately support the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), he stated during the assembly sitting.
Responding to a question from Datuk Ramlee Bohani (BN-Kempas) regarding government measures to tackle traffic congestion in Johor Bahru, Mohamad Fazli highlighted that the E-ART system will significantly ease traffic congestion, improve daily mobility, and support the state’s low-carbon agenda. Previously, he had announced that the E-ART system involves 32 stations and is estimated to cost nearly RM7 billion.
The state government has established the Greater JB Special Traffic Dispersal Committee, which has identified 77 congestion areas and taken action in more than 20 locations. The committee has proposed measures such as the installation of lane barriers, traffic information boards, and enforcement during peak hours. These proposals have been presented at the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Congestion and Safety. The dispersal plan includes the closure of Jalan Ledang leading to the Skudai Highway, successfully reducing traffic pressure in the area.
Additionally, Mohamad Fazli mentioned that the government is studying the need to increase road capacity, including widening roads, building new bypasses, and implementing modern traffic management systems to support future economic growth and traffic density. The state government has submitted a list of 18 proposed projects to the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) consulting services to review and prioritize them for approval.