JOHOR TRAFFIC PLAN STILL UP IN AIR
Move to ban heavy vehicles at Causeway during peak hours must be evaluated first, says state govt
THE state government has yet to decide whether to proceed with the previous administration’s proposal to divert heavy vehicles heading for Singapore to the Second Link during peak hours.
State Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Mazlan Bujang said the proposal needed to be evaluated before a decision could be taken.
“We understand the proposal is aimed at easing congestion at the Causeway.
“However, we have yet to decide on the matter as it is being evaluated.”
The previous administration had announced last year that a study conducted by the state Economic Planning Unit (EPU) was scheduled to be finalised by the end of last year.
It said among the proposals included several considerations, such as “time management”, which was an arrangement for lorries to use the Causeway only at certain hours of the day.
This will lead to a ban on heavy vehicles, especially lorries, during peak hours at the Causeway, when traffic congestion is at its worst.
Former state Public Works, Rural and Regional Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad had said besides the Transport Ministry, the state EPU received feedback from the Singaporean authorities and stakeholders in the transportation industry on the proposal.
The issue of banning heavy vehicles from using the Causeway was first raised by Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar three years ago, to reduce traffic congestion at the checkpoint.
Massive congestion occurs regularly on the Causeway, particularly at the lorry lanes, which affects vehicles heading for Singapore.