Road reopening eases traffic

GEORGE TOWN: Traffic returned to normal at Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a major thoroughfare to the industrial zone, and the surrounding areas after the road was reopened following an outcry on Monday.

Checks at the site and nearby roads around Bayan Lepas and Sungai Nibong showed traffic to be smooth but slow-going as people rushed to work and school.

The road was reopened after the state government late on Monday night issued a stop-work order against a flyover project there and to reopen the road to traffic.

Factory worker Yeoh Guat Swee, 35, said she was relieved the state decided to reopen the intersection between Hilir Keluang 1 and Lebuhraya Kampung Jawa.

“At least traffic can flow now,” she told theSun and hoped the gridlock on Monday will not happen again.

Echoing her view was Mohd Ghazali Othman, 30, who expressed his anger over being stuck for a couple of hours in traffic.

“I was expecting more of the same today but the decision to reopen the road is a good one,” he added.

When contacted, Penang Consumer Protection Association president K. Korris Attan called for the appointment of a traffic dispersal consultant to ensure no repeat of massive jams.

He said any action to be taken must ensure smooth traffic flow and to avoid huge congestion as people needed to get to work and school on time.