Another new highway mooted; KL Node expected to ease congestion on MRR2 and Jalan Kuching

The Works Ministry is mulling the construction of a new highway that will plug the missing link between the eastern and north traffic corridors of the Klang Valley. The highway will be known as the Kuala Lumpur Northern Dispersal Expressway (KL Node).

According to a report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), KL Node is expected to ease congestion on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and also provide much-needed relief to Jalan Kuching. Both highways mentioned are well known for their heavy congestion.

FMT describes the new highway as the final link of the KL Outer Ring Road system. The highway is expected to connect the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar) and East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE).

The 24 km proposed alignment will be elevated along 83 percent of the route. It will run from Hulu Kelang to the Melawati and Melati Housing estates, Gombak, Selayang Heights and end near Kanching Eco Forest Park.

Entry and exit points of KL Node will be located near Ukay Perdana in Hulu Kelang and the Kanching Eco Forest Park in Rawang respectively.

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A Works Ministry spokesperson confirmed with FMT that the government hopes the project would take off by 2024.

The ministry also hopes that the highway will connect the existing alternative highway networks and disperse traffic on the outskirts and reduce the traffic congestion in the capital city.

KL Node’s project proponent is Sambungan Lebuhraya Timur Sdn Bhd (SLT). The spokesperson said negotiation on the technical aspects is still in progress between the ministry and the company. HSS Engineers Berhad has also been appointed as a consultant for the project.

SLT is also having discussions with Selangor government agencies such as the Ampang Jaya and Selayang municipal councils.

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FMT noted that the Malaysia Highway Authority (LLM) presented the details of the KL Node to the Selangor Economic Action Council in 2017.

Below is the proposed alignment that will also pass through the following areas including hills, residential areas, and villages:

Entry/exit points of EKVE near Masjid Al Ridhuan, Hulu Kelang;

• Kampung Pasir, Hulu Kelang (MRR2);
• Taman Melawati and Taman Permata (MRR2);
• Kg Klang Gate and Wangsa Melawati (MRR2);
• Desa Melawati, KL East and Taman Melati (MRR2);
• Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (MRR2);
• Kampung Sungai Chinchin, Gombak;
• Seri Gombak;
• Kampung Sungai Tua;
• Taman Selayang Mutiara;
• Selayang Heights;
• Jalan KL-Ipoh (FR01); and
• Entry/exit points of Latar near the Kanching Eco Forest Park.