KenaSaman.com

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) will stop all roadworks and traffic diversions during the first week of Chinese New Year.

“To ensure that road users can enjoy smooth traffic, all road building and repair works on major highways will be stopped temporarily.

“The building or repair sites will also be properly maintained so that they will not endanger road users,” it said in a reply to The Star.

While LLM routinely stops roadworks and traffic diversions during festivals and holidays and when it expects high traffic flow, it may be introducing a more comprehensive travel time advisory for the Chinese New Year.

As Chinese New Year falls on a Monday, the LLM expects a 30% increase in traffic flow this year compared to last year.

Peak traffic is also expected on the weekend before Chinese New Year (Jan 21 and 22) and the second day of the festival (Jan 24).

“Last year, about 1.2 million vehicles passed through highway tolls.

“This year, we expect between 1.5 and 1.6 million vehicles due to the long weekend,” said a LLM spokesperson.

The LLM also advised road users to plan their journey based on the travel time advisory and information that will be made available through radio programmes and the LLM twitter account (@LLMinfotrafik) as Chinese New Year approaches.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor is expected to announce the travel time advisory for the festive season next week.

Last year, the 23rd Ops Sikap conducted by traffic police during Chinese New Year recorded 199 deaths due to accidents and 20 of them had happened on highways.

“As usual, emergency response teams that consist of agencies such as the police and Fire and Rescue Department will be stationed at strategic locations to provide assistance in the event of emergencies.

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