The grey block structure (placed just behind plastic road barriers) is blocking off part of the road and taking up several parking bays.
A TEMPORARY structure erected in the middle of Jalan Yew as part of a traffic impact study has riled up business owners and market traders in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.
They say the structure, which is a mock pillar, is causing traffic congestion in the area by making the road narrower besides blocking off seven parking bays in front of three shoplots.
The affected stakeholders said the mock pillar near the junction of Jalan Yew and Jalan Gajah would be used to study traffic impact in the area as part of the proposed road-widening project at the Jalan Yew-Jalan Sungai Besi flyover.
However, stakeholders are unhappy with the move and they object to the road-widening works, which will take two years, as it will negatively affect business in the area.
Action Committee Against the Widening of Jalan Yew chairman Yong Pock Yau said their stand had been clear from the start, which was against the road-widening.
“We want more evidence to show that the road-widening works will benefit the people.
“So we have asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for the traffic, social and economic impact assessment reports but until now, they have not handed them over,” he said at a press conference during a site visit with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah. The mayor did not speak to reporters.
Pudu Hawkers and Petty Traders Association secretary Chai Mei Li said that with the mock pillar, the road was too narrow for vehicles.
“The road now is reduced to one lane with the pillar in place.
“The plastic road barriers for the pillar are blocking a huge part of the road and motorists find it difficult to pass through,” she said, adding that this would discourage visitors from going to the Pudu morning market.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the flyover widening project, which falls under Finance Ministry and costs RM90mil, was initiated in 2017.
“Jalan Yew was built in the 1970s and can no longer cater to the increased traffic.
“The flyover that connects Sungai Besi Highway and Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway on both sides will cater to motorists headed to Tun Razak Exchange.
“However, the proposed road widening works are too close for comfort,” he said.
Tan said there would be road pillars erected parallel to the flyover and four of them would negatively impact the stakeholders.
“After a meeting with the mayor, DBKL said it will continue to study the project’s feasibility as well as the traffic improvement plans.”
Jalan Yew is divided by the flyover, with traffic going both ways.
There are parking bays and vehicles can make a U-turn underneath the flyover to get to the other side of the road.
There are shops on both sides of Jalan Yew.
The entrance to the Pudu morning market is located at the Jalan Yew-Jalan Pasar Baharu junction while the Jalan Yew-Jalan Gajah junction is located opposite the market entrance.
Previously, the proposed road- widening plans of the flyover involved construction works along both sides of Jalan Yew but now, only the stretch opposite the market will be affected.
