KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — Traffic flow on major highways nationwide experienced severe congestion on Thursday night following a sharp increase in vehicles as motorists rushed to take advantage of the final hours of the 50 per cent toll discount which ended at midnight.
A Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman said the worst congestion was detected on routes towrads the East Coast, particularly from the Gombak Toll Plaza to Bukit Tinggi.
“Congestion in the area was observed even before the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) exit, with traffic volume rising significantly after breaking of fast earlier this evening,” she said when contacted by Bernama.
She added that traffic heading north was moving slowly but remained under control along stretches from Sungai Buloh to Rawang, Slim River to Sungkai, as well as Bukit Tagar towards Lembah Beringin.
Congestion trends in the northern direction were also influenced by the aftermath of a fatal accident earlier yesterday along the Tapah to Gopeng route, as well as increased traffic from Permatang Pauh heading towards Sungai Dua.
For southbound routes, LLM reported that traffic had begun to slow at several hotspots, including Bandar Baru Nilai to the Seremban Rest and Service Area (R&R), Bandar Ainsdale to Senawang, and Pedas Linggi to Simpang Ampat.
Apart from the discount factor, many road users were also reported to have only begun their journeys last night as most employment sectors will officially begin their holidays tomorrow.
