Just days after the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway was open to the public, complaints about the exit ramp heading to the Cheras-Kajang Expressway started flowing in over the poor design of the ramp that ends in a traffic light junction. Word is that even during off-peak hours, the traffic light can take about 30 minutes to navigate through.
Highway users have taken to Twitter and Facebook to criticise the poor design of the ramps exiting the highway, particularly the exit to the Cheras-Kajang Highway. The current design meant that expressway users have to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic during both off-peak and peak hours.
According to The Vibes, it can take up to 30 minutes to pass through the Taman Cuepacs/ PGA and Jalan Cheras junction before getting onto the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga) toll plaza.
This was allegedly caused by the lack of free-flow traffic and a traffic light at the end of the single-lane elevated ramp exit.
One user complained that he had to endure 20 minutes of traffic on the first day the highway started operations. He also expressed his surprise at how the ramp ends in a traffic light.
Another Twitter user was all praise for the highway for its engineering marvel, however, his praises ended with an annoyed rant about the exit at the Cheras/ Kajang before connecting to the highway.
One more user also expressed his annoyance about the traffic light junction as it took him 30 minutes to clear the junction. He also wished users good luck navigating the junction at peak hours.
Prolintas has since issued a statement addressing the public’s complaints. According to the company, SUKE’s operation division and an appointed consultant are reviewing the design of the ramp to the Cheras-Kajang Expressway.
SUKE highway is amazing! I felt like only took 10mins from Setapak Duke 1st toll and 2 SUKE tolls to reach at Cheras stuck in jam 20mins ! And rupa-nya got stuck in traffic light jam pulak… 1st time… So awesome design Suke highway! Mesti praise! pic.twitter.com/sAAdBmAH8B
— Chin Ann (@vin_ann) September 16, 2022
Prolintas hopes that changing the single-lane road into two lanes would help reduce the traffic jam. It is also working with the concession company of the Cheras-Kajang Expressway to review the overall traffic light configuration.
One can only hope that these changes and the additional ramp that is expected to complete construction in February 2023 will help improve the traffic flow on the SUKE.
Keyword: Complaints flow in as netizens voice their displeasure with SUKE traffic flow; Prolintas responds