Ministers should not justify Kidex by selective traffic figures

Joint Media Statement by Rajiv Rishyakaran, Yeo Bee Yin, Ng Sze Han and Lau Weng San, State Assemblypersons of Bukit Gasing, Damansara Utama, Kinrara and Kampung Tunku on Friday, 7^th November 2014.

  

Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar should not join Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof in claiming that Kidex Highway will greatly ease congenstion in Petaling Jaya by selectively waving 4 traffic count figures in a statement.

In written reply to Tony Pua, MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, Wahid claimed that "With Kidex, it is expected that several areas will see a reduction in traffic, including the North Klang Valley Expressway in Damansara by 16%, Jalan Utara near St Paul Church (-21%), Jalan Semangat (-18%) and Jalan Templer (-21%),".

From the same study where the minister picked his 4 numbers, it can also be pointed out that Jalan Utara (near Armada Hotel) will see an increase in 19% & Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil will see an increase in 11%.

The junction performance portion of the said report also goes to show the Federal Highway Hilton Interchange (Jalan Barat) performance will decrease from LOS C to LOS F (A is the best junction performance, F is the worst possible). Most of the other critical junctions that are the source of traffic jams in Petaling Jaya will remain LOS F, with or without Kidex, such as Jalan Templer/Jalan Gasing, Jalan Universiti/Jalan Kemajuan and even in Puchong, roads such as Jalan Puchong/ Jalan Kinrara 4 and Jalan Puchong/ Road to KESAS Highway.

The minister also failed to point out a far more important measuring criterion, which is the journey time benchmark. Briefings by Kidex’s own consultant in recent months show that for travel within Petaling Jaya, and this includes areas like Bandar Utama to PJ Old Town, Kidex is poised to save only 1.31% in average journey times.

Travel to and fro Petaling Jaya is not much better, and this would include traffic from Puchong moving up in Petaling Jaya, where savings are expected to only be 2.6% of average journey times.

Instead of brandishing selective facts to make the case for KIDEX, the BN led Federal Government needs to address all queries put forth by MBPJ thru its traffic consultant. There should not be anymore hiding behind selective facts, as the issue of building this highway has dragged on for far too long.