The new four-way traffic light junction in SS4 is confusing to some motorists because of the addition of a U-turn on Jalan SS 4A/1 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
A new four-way traffic light system in SS4 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is causing confusion among some motorists.
For those coming from Jalan SS4A/1, there is an additional exit, just before the traffic lights, that leads to a U-turn.
Although checks by StarMetro on Wednesday revealed that there were signboards about the new system at all four roads – Jalan SS4A/1, Jalan Bahagia, Jalan Majlis and Jalan SS3/39 – some motorists appeared to be confused, forcing them to slow down,
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Kelana Jaya resident Surina Mohan, 48, who uses the junction on her way to work, said the conversion to traffic lights from the earlier temporary roundabout had been done abruptly.
“There is only a small signboard on the new traffic flow.
“I hear it is supposed to be a hybrid traffic light system but it is confusing for motorists, especially if you are making a turn,” she said.
She added that Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) should have done more to educate the public about the new system prior to its implementation.
Technician Allan K, 35, who lives in SS3, Petaling Jaya, liked the hybrid traffic light idea but said it would take a while for motorists to learn the new system.
“There should be better signage because motorists are suddenly slowing down to figure out where to go and this is dangerous,” he said.
Retiree LC Lim, 67, who lives near SS4 Petaling Jaya, said the new system had forced him to be extra vigilant.
“This is especially so when motorcyclists, particularly ehailing riders, swerve in and out from different directions,” he said.
In a reply to StarMetro, MBPJ said the purpose of the four-way traffic light system was to improve traffic flow by adding a U-turn.
“The new traffic flow system is based on the previous four-way junction, but there is an addition of a U-turn for motorists from the Taman Bahagia LRT station heading towards Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP).
On June 17, StarMetro reported that a temporary roundabout had been created in the interim with orange and white road barriers, which had worsened traffic congestion there.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei said the new traffic lights system was part a nearby mixed development project’s conditions, involving the widening of roads and construction of additional lanes to disperse traffic flow.
“MBPJ councillor Ong Yew Thai and I went to observe traffic patterns and provided feedback to MBPJ on the necessary improvements that should be done,” she said.
Lim added that those who want to go straight (from Taman Bahagia LRT via Jalan SS4A/1 towards Jalan Majlis) should take the middle lane.
This also allows motorists to turn right towards SS5 Petaling Jaya.
The riskiest spot is traffic coming from Jalan Majlis as motorists who want to go straight towards Jln SS4A/1 mistakenly turn into the centre right-turn only lanes.
She said MBPJ had placed two signs to indicate the middle lane was for Jalan SS4A/1 and right-only turn towards Jalan SS3/39.
“I have asked for the signs to be placed further up the road for better visibility,” she added.
Lim added the U-turn on Jalan SS4A/1 was meant to disperse some of the traffic at the yellow box T-junction between Jalan SS4A/1, Jalan SS3/59 and Jalan SS4/6 (near Restaurant Kean Fatt).
“We will also ask Google Maps and Waze to update their maps to reflect the changes,” she said, adding that they had requested MBPJ to adjust the traffic light timing between Jalan Majlis and Jalan Bahagia as well.
“We will monitor the situation and liaise with MBPJ,” she said.
