Penang: PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) announced that work on Package 1 of the traffic dispersal project between the Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas (PTJSD) here began today. It added that Naza Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd had been appointed as the main contractor for the package through an open tender process.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Package 1 comprises work to upgrade the roundabout at KM135.15-KM135.4 of the East-West Elevated Intersection (Butterworth-Kulim Expressway) and the construction of a new flyover at Jalan Tun Hussein Onn (KM133.5-KM134.5). This phase will be implemented over 24 months. The project aims to disperse traffic in the area, providing motorists and locals with a smoother journey.
PLUS stated that the PTJSD is a high-impact project that will benefit about 200,000 daily users by reducing congestion on the route. During the initial stages of the upgrading work, traffic flow will not be affected as the existing two lanes on both sides of the expressway will remain open to motorists. PLUS will provide updates from time to time regarding the project via social media.
The project is one of the main initiatives for Penang that was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he tabled Budget 2025 on Oct 18 last year. This is in addition to the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the expansion of the Penang International Airport and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3.
The media previously reported that the implementation of the Juru-Sungai Dua traffic dispersal project would involve a 17.4-kilometre (km) highway and a 9km elevated alignment. Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari mentioned that the project would cover eight phases of development, which will include an intersection without traffic lights and two elevated U-turns to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Zairil added that apart from the construction of the highway, several critical intersections will also be upgraded, including the Juru Utara Elevated Intersection (Autocity), the Penang Bridge Intersection, and Jalan Baru Overpass. Additional flyovers from Jalan Tun Hussein Onn to the North-South Expressway will also be constructed. The highway concept will separate local traffic from direct traffic flow, similar to the implementation in Ipoh, Perak, where users traveling north do not need to exit the Juru toll, while those traveling south do not need to exit at the Sungai Dua toll.
The project involves the implementation of a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) to reduce the impact on road users throughout the construction period of the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway.