Wong: Smoother ride on Jalan Balakong soon
BALAKONG: Commuters using Jalan Balakong to connect Cheras with Balakong and Seri Kembangan will be able to enjoy smoother traffic once the road widening project – championed by the late Balakong assemblyman Eddie Ng – begins next month.
Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Balakong byelection, Wong Siew Ki, checked out the 800m stretch of road at Cheras 11th Mile yesterday.
“There are several bottlenecks along this stretch, but developer Parkland Group has volunteered to widen the road to fulfil its corporate social responsibility,” she said.
She said the company contributed a total of RM8mil for the project, and the road widening works would take about two years to complete.
Kajang municipal councillor So Lian Kiong, who was also present, said the drainage system would also be improved along with the road upgrade to solve the problem of flash floods.
The project will also include a permanent divider in the middle of the road, which means cars will have to use designated uturn points in the future.
The councillor said some shopowners, who have been putting their items on the road reserve, would be required to relocate their belongings.
“The late Eddie had championed this project since the first day he took office, but this stretch of road was under the management of the Public Works Department, which did not have the funds for the project.
“But now that Parkland has stepped in, once the project is completed, traffic should be smoother,” So said.
Meanwhile, Wong said she gets six hours of rest every day due to campaigning, which will last for another two weeks before voting on Sept 8.
“Our operation centre has its own kitchen, so our volunteers have been brewing herbals drinks for me to replenish my energy,” she said.