3 measures improving traffic flow in Air Itam

There are 3 measurements to improve the traffic flow in Air Itam main road.

(1) Traffic light in front of Kampung Bharu Markethas been turned off during the morning rush hours (6am to 9am).

(2) 4 traffic lights in Air Itam namely Reservoir Garden, Kampung Melayu, Thean Teik and Kampung Bharu have been synchronised.

(3) The U-turn in front of Air Itam market has been blocked to facilitate direct traffic flow.

Together with MPPP Engineering Department and the Police, we have observed it for three months and I called a Press Conference to announce the outcome of the exercise.

The long queue of traffics in Thean Teik, Kampung Melayu during morning rush hours has been reduced tremendously and traffic flows from Air Itam towards town has seen significant improvement. Many road users including some reporters who use the road daily have confirmed that there are improvement in traffic flow.


As reported in The Star.

Air Itam Road turn off blocked for good


AFTER a smooth three-month trial run, the Penang Municipal Council has decided to stick to the closure of the turning from Jalan Air Itam to Lorong Batu Lancang at Kampung Baru.

State Town and Country Planning and Housing Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who is Air Itam assemblyman, said steel bollards would be put up at the traffic island within two weeks to replace the temporary plastic barriers to prevent vehicles from making that turn.

“The turning has been closed since Jan 30, during the Chinese New Year season when there was heavy traffic congestion heading towards Air Itam.

“It was meant to be an interim measure but the move actually improved the traffic situation and there was positive feedback all around,” he said after inspecting the site yesterday.

Wong said vehicles from Air Itam could still make a U-turn about 120m down the road, in front of the Mobil petrol station, and the council would continue to monitor the situation.

“The council, in its survey, found that the existing U-turn can facilitate the traffic flow during peak hours where about 500 to 700 vehicles make that turning per hour, or eight to 12 vehicles per minute,” he said.

As reported in Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

黄汉伟：亚依淡及甘榜峇鲁　转弯处永久关闭
二零零九年四月二十九日 凌晨十二时十七分


（槟城28日讯）亚依淡龙珠饼商店前的转角处永久性关闭！

在进行试验３个月后，槟岛市政局决定将亚依淡路与甘榜峇鲁交界，从亚依淡路通往峇都兰樟巷的转弯处永久性关闭，以及钟灵中学前的红绿灯，将于每天上午6时至9时之间关闭。

上述的转弯处于今年1月华人新年期间已开始关闭，以纾缓在这期间内，通往极乐寺亚依淡路的交通阻塞，而槟岛市政局是在警方的给予劝告下，决定将这转弯处永久性的关闭，因为警方发现在该转弯处关闭后，在交通繁忙的时段内，尤其是上午的一段时间，交通拥挤的情况经有改善，即通往市区方向的车龙已缩短，交通变得较为顺畅。

槟岛市政局也是在获得大部份居民的支持下，才作出上述的决定。

不过，在另一方面，甘榜峇鲁的居民却反对钟灵中学前交通灯于每天上午6时至9时关闭，因为这将造成他们在前往甘榜峇鲁巴刹时，难以越过马路。

居民反对红绿灯

对于甘榜峇鲁居民的反对，槟岛市政局将进行探讨，以寻求另一替代的选择方案，但于上午一段时间内关闭该红绿灯，也是获得附近大部份居民的支持。

这是亚依淡区州议员黄汉伟于今日在巡视甘榜峇鲁的交通情况后，向记者如此指出。

黄汉伟指出，在上述转弯处永久性关闭后，来自亚依淡路，发林新市镇及垄尾的车辆已不能在该交界处右转，所有车辆都必须在离此地点120米远的一个U转处（在无比油站前）转弯，通往峇都兰樟巷。

他说，由于替代的转弯处距离不远，所以相信不会对驾驶人士造成极大的不便。他透露，根据槟岛市政局的计算，在繁忙的时间内，每一小时有500至700辆的车辆使用有关的转弯处，即每一分钟8至12辆车辆。

他强调，市政局将观察该处的交通情况，而如果将来有需要，它也将研究重新开放该转弯处的可能性。

他指出，在关闭后，该转弯处将置放铁杆，不过铁杆之间的空间，却可让脚车及摩托车通行，方便附近学校学生前往学校。他说，但让脚车及摩托车通行也只是试验性推行。

“市政局是分阶段进行改善甘榜峇鲁的交通问题，这包括也将考虑于每天下午放学时间内也关闭钟灵中学前红绿灯的建议。”