All backed up: The Johor stretch of the NSE currently operates with two lanes each way, causing frequent traffic congestion even on weekdays and non-peak periods. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: The decades-long awaited expansion of the North-South Expressway (NSE) stretch in Johor is finally underway, with the business and tourism sectors saying it will be a major boost to the state.
Johoreans have been appealing for the dual-carriageway of the NSE to be expanded to three or four lanes on each side, just like it is in most other states such as Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.
The issue had also irked none other than Johor Ruler, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who had repeatedly urged the Federal Government to keep its pledge of upgrading the NSE in Johor to six lanes.
He was quoted in the past as saying that he felt saddened that Johor seemed to have been sidelined despite it being one of the biggest contributors to the national economy.
Construction works to expand the existing two lanes to three lanes along the Sedenak-Kulai stretch is underway.
Work under Phase One-Package A, for the southbound section of the stretch, is expected to continue until the second quarter of 2025, after which the work will shift to the northbound stretch.
The three phases of the project would involve 54km from Kulai to Machap.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the highway expansion project was long cherished by the people.
“For decades, we waited patiently,” he added.
He said the RM4.8bil allocated by the Federal Government would see the start of 143 new projects and continuation of 433 projects including Phase Three of the NSE lane expansion project from Simpang Renggam to Machap.
Meanwhile, local motorists were joined by Singaporeans in welcoming the expansion project, saying it will encourage “free flow” travel to Johor.
A frequent traveller by road to Johor Baru from Selangor who wished to be known as Raj, said he always dreaded entering the Johor stretch of the highway after cruising past Negri Sembilan and Melaka, which he said had at least four lanes on each side of the highway.
“Suddenly there is a bottleneck on the Johor side, with traffic snarls beginning as soon as one reaches Pagoh where heavy vehicles worsen the situation.
“It usually takes up to two-and-a-half hours just to get to Johor Baru from Pagoh, and that is if traffic is smooth.
“During the recent Deepavali holiday weekend, it took me four hours to get out of Johor on my way back to Selangor with congestion at its worst.
“Even the so-called smart-lanes activated by PLUS, enabling the use of the emergency lanes, were ineffective,” he added.
Businessman Tan Wang Chang said having just two lanes on each side of the highway caused frequent traffic congestion even on weekdays and non-peak periods.
“With Malaysia and Singapore set to sign the agreement for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone at the year end, we expect to see a boost in tourism, investment and economic activities.
“This calls for better traffic flow, including transportation of goods and services so we need to have upgraded and better infrastructure to support that vision,” he said.
Tan, 47, said he usually allocated at least four hours to travel from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa due to the traffic congestion on the expressway.
“Years ago, I could reach Johor Baru from Kuala Lumpur in three to three-and-a-half hours.
“These days, I have to factor in the traffic jam on the expressway because it often comes to a crawl starting from Simpang Renggam all the way to Skudai, which is more than 40km.
“The same thing happens when we travel northbound; the road is congested starting from the Skudai toll plaza all the way to Simpang Renggam,” Tan said.
Another frequent highway user Shaidathul Suhana Ros, 39, said she hoped the project would be completed within the stipulated period.
“I travel back to my hometown in Tangkak from Johor Baru weekly. The journey used to take me two hours but due to the increasing traffic volume, my travel time tends to stretch up to four hours especially on weekends and public holidays,” said the civil servant.
Singaporean Andy Pan, 40, said he was looking forward to smoother traffic flow once the expressway is expanded.
“I use the highway for regular family trips to our favourite destinations in Johor, Melaka or Kuala Lumpur at least once a month so I am familiar with the usual congested areas.
“I was curious as to why Johor only had two lanes on each side of the expressway. It is such a big state,” he added.
