KenaSaman.com

Residents of Air Itam and Paya Terubong are thankful to the Penang Municipal Council for improving traffic flow at the once chaotic Lebuhraya Thean Teik—Lorong Batu Lanchang junction.

But, they are upset that the authorities have axed some 10 trees along Lebuhraya Thean Teik, located some 2km from the junction, for a road widening project about two weeks ago.

Tanjung Court Condominium resident K. Manimaran, 44, commended the council for implementing the RM300,000 upgrading project at the junction.

“The traffic snarls during peak periods have almost disappeared. It has been a problem for several years. But, it is a pity that the trees along the road were chopped down,” he said.

“The trees used to provide shade to motorists. The stretch now spots a barren look.

“I hope the authorities will replant the trees there,” he said.

Manimaran also urged the authorities to improve the drainage system along Lebuhraya Thean Teik to ensure it would not be flooded again during downpours.

“I was shocked when a 1km stretch of the road near a construction site was flooded about three months ago. The road was impassable to traffic for several hours.

“This has never happened before. This probably has to do with the construction site,” he said.

When contacted, state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said the Public Works Department (PWD) was supervising the road widening project.

“Once the project is completed, trees will be planted to provide shade to motorists,” he said.

Lim said the road widening — from four lanes to six lanes along the cemetery — was a condition set by the department to the developer of a condominium project there.

Motorists have given the thumbs up to the council for resolving the traffic snarls at the junction.

Clerk Michelle Lee, 28, who is a frequent user of the road said that the traffic flows non-stop now.

“Previously, the traffic would pile up until Jalan Masjid Negeri from about 5.30pm to 8.30pm,” she said.

Council senior traffic engineer A. Rajendran said work to upgrade the junction would be completed in August.

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