MOTORISTS near Kepong, Segambut and Sungai Buloh will be able to access the newly-completed Sri Damansara link (SDL) via Duta Ulu Kelang (Duke 2) from midnight today for free for one month.
The month-long toll free period is applicable at the Segambut Toll Plaza along SDL until Nov 22.
The new link connects the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) at the Bandar Manjalara Interchange and the existing Duke in Jalan Segambut. It will provide an alternative route for those heading towards congested areas like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Sri Damansara, Rawang, Kepong and Sungai Buloh.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said an estimated 30,000 people will use the new link.
“We believe the ride will reduce travel time by 10 minutes approximately,” he added.
Fadillah also commended the concessionaire holder of Duke 2, Konsortium Lebuhraya Utara-Timur (KL) Sdn Bhd (Kesturi) for increasing the existing Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) road, Jalan Taman Bukit Maluri - Jalan Lang Emas from four lanes to six.
They also expanded the Manjalara Interchange on MRR 2 under the Road Works Department.
He said this would ease the bottleneck congestion that is common in Jalan Lang Emas.
The SDL also comes equipped with the Segambut Rest and Services Area (Segar) which features a double-storey, park-and-ride facility that will connect to a KTM Komuter station that is currently under construction.
At present, there are some 300 parking bays but there is a proposal to build more once the operations begin at the KTM station. The space is estimated to be able to accommodate 4,000 parking bays.
The SDL is the final phase for the Duke 2 highway that includes the Tun Razak Link that was opened to public since Sep 28 this year.