LRT, new roads to benefit Puchong
By Heidi Foo

2008/03/05

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents in Puchong can look forward to a light-rail transit (LRT) system which will help alleviate traffic congestion in the area. Work on the LRT system is expected to begin either at the end of this year or early next year.

The current Bukit Jalil LRT station in Sri Petaling will be extended through strategic townships in Puchong before ending in Putra Heights.

The 16km track is expected to serve at least 250,000 people in Taman Kinrara, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong Jaya, Tempua, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Bandar Puteri, Puchong Perdana, Puchong Indah and Tasik Puchong Prima.

The Barisan Nasional candidate for the Puchong parliamentary seat, Lau Yeng Peng, said yesterday that the project was scheduled for completion by 2011.

It is expected to cost more than RM1 billion.

"A bus service will also be provided to ferry commuters to and from the station," he said, adding that 100,000 commuters were expected to use the service during peak hours daily.

Besides reducing traffic congestion, the LRT would also stimulate growth in the area.

"Before this, there was speculation that the project would be delayed or even stopped due to the lack of finances and other problems.

"I want this announcement to dismiss all the rumours as we have been working on the development of Puchong even before the dissolution of parliament," he said.

Work would also begin after the elections on one of two alternative roads which had been approved.

"The road will be built across the Klang river, linking Kinrara Puchong and Sri Manja, while the second road will be from Tesco Puchong to USJ1.

"In fact, the plans and allocation of approximately RM20 million had been approved by the relevant authorities, including the federal government.

"As far as I am concerned at this point, the new road will be toll free and I will fight for it to stay that way," he said.

Lau added that the cabinet had approved the funds under the Public Transportation Cabinet Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in December last year.

Also present at the press conference held at the Umno Seri Serdang state assemblyman's office were Seri Serdang and Kinrara incumbent state assemblymen Datuk Mohd Satim Diman and Dr Kow Cheong Wei.