PJD Link approval subject to further negotiations, says govt

 

Petaling Jaya residents fear the new highway will bring more traffic and cause further congestion in their areas.

PETALING JAYA: The approval given to the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) project is subject to further negotiations, says the works ministry.

The ministry said the project was approved in principle by the Cabinet on Nov 12, 2017 and a concession agreement was signed last April 5.

This required the developer to submit Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) reports before construction of the project could begin, Bernama quoted it as saying in a statement.

The ministry said PJD Link was also approved in principle by the Selangor government on Sept 3, 2020 at the Selangor State Economic Action Council (MTES) meeting.

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“The main objective of PJD Link is to disperse traffic congestion in Petaling Jaya by providing major connections with existing roads and highways.

“This project involves connectivity with six existing highways and five major railways to achieve the objective of dispersing the traffic,” it said.

Residents of Section 14 staged a protest against the project on Saturday, with Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah urging the government to explain why it was rushing to implement the proposed highway.

She said the government should think of alternatives to the project, which residents claim will channel more traffic to the roads in Petaling Jaya and add to the traffic congestion.

In its statement, the ministry also said the proposed PJD Link project had taken into account its connectivity with the public transport system, and that engagement sessions had been held with the transport ministry and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

“Taking into account the feasibility input from the relevant agencies and authorities, PJD Link has been listed as a potential highway project to be implemented through privatisation in the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) 2030.

“Its planning has also been taken into account in the local plans of the local government authorities.

“The Malaysia Highway Authority and the developer are also prepared to hold engagement sessions with residents’ associations and local leaders to provide information and answers to issues that may arise from the implementation of this project,” it said. - FMT