Motorists caught unawares by U-turn closures along MRR2

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THE sudden traffic flow change along the MRR2 Pandan Indah interchange that disallows right turns along the bridge caught many motorists unawares one morning this week and many resorted to illegal U-turns, causing massive traffic congestion.

Though the barriers preventing the turns have been removed since yesterday, Pandan Indah residents who experienced a taste of the final MRR2 Ampang upgrade project are protesting against it.

One resident, Lim Lai Heng, 50, a computer business owner said that many people were confused due to the lack of any visible signage.

No U-turn: The two-lane road in Pandan Jaya has now been narrowed down to one as cars queue to make this difficult U-turn, despite the narrow lane and oncoming vehicles, to get back onto the Hulu Kelang-bound MRR2.

“People who were already on the bridge had to continue on into Taman Shamelin Perkasa and make an illegal U-turn at the first traffic lights they came to.

“This caused a long queue and traffic was backed up all along the bridge and into Pandan Indah,” he said.

An observation into the situation also found something similar to traffic from Taman Cempaka who, unable to get onto the Hulu Kelang-bound MRR2 directly, opt to make an illegal U-turn at a traffic light in Pandan Jaya.

Another area with the same problem is the Kampung Pandan Luar exit with motorists making such U-turns to head towards Taman Nirwana.

As motorists wait for an opportunity to make these illegal U-turns, their vehicles would inadvertently block one of the two lanes on those roads, causing a worse congestion than the usual.

Odd construction: A strange road shoulder that juts out awkwardly close to the road, causing vehicles to veer away and narrow at the two lane exit from Taman Shamelin Perkasa towards the Hulu Kelang-bound MRR2 and Pandan Jaya.

To make matters worse, motorcyclists were squeezing in between barriers and making turns where it was no longer allowed, causing traffic to slow down as many had to watch out for these irresponsible road users.

According to Lim, the Public Works Department (JKR) project that involves ungrading a 2.8km stretch along the MRR2 for RM104mil is making residents in the area suffer.

“I feel that JKR is doing a good job but other problematic sections of the MRR2 will inevitably cause traffic congestions that nullify this project,” he said.

“The highway’s three lanes may help somewhat with traffic flow but it is residents living all around it that have to suffer for it,” Lim said.

He pointed out some of these troublesome situations such as residents coming out of Jalan Pandan Indah who would have to take both the Hulu Kelang-bound and Cheras-bound U-turns to get to Pandan Jaya.

“I think implementing free flow along the Pandan Indah interchange is not a good idea.

“While people living in the area may get used to the new system in time, outsiders will find themselves getting lost,” he said, adding that proper and visible signages would help ease this problem.

He also said that many areas could be improved such as the Taman Shamelin Perkasa turn off onto the Hulu Kelang-bound MRR2.

“Due to traffic being unable to turn onto Cheras-bound MRR2 from Pandan Jaya, many are now taking the Taman Shamelin Perkasa route, thus JKR should consider a longer stretch for road widening here,” Lim said.

He said that he has complained to both the JKR and project manager about the issues.