BY SHALINI RAVINDRAN

For a smooth drive: Tengku Adnan (second from left) flagging off the mayor’s car and several other cars to mark the official launch of the new access road.

KAMPUNG Kerinchi residents can now use a new access road to enter and exit Bangsar South.

The new 800m road will connect Jalan Kerinchi Kiri to the Kerinchi Link on Sprint Highway and the Federal Highway.

This will allow motorists to bypass heavy traffic at the intersection of Jalan Kerinchi and Jalan Pantai Baru.

The RM20.3mil road is a joint venture between Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and several developers in the area.

The project began in November 2013 and was completed on May 4.

“Kampung Kerinchi has grown rapidly over the past few years especially as more residential units have been built.

“This has brought more traffic into the area which the old roads could no longer support.

“Hopefully the new road will help alleviate traffic congestion,” said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor during the launch.

He added the completion was timely as several residential and commercial development projects are located within the vicinity.

The cost of the project was shared by developers UOA Properties Sdn Bhd, Suez Domain Sdn Bhd, EUPE Bangsar South Development Sdn Bhd and Kar Sin Bhd. The project involved the building of a flyover from Jalan Kerinchi Kiri to the Kerinchi Link, widening of Jalan Kerinchi Kiri from two to four lanes, drainage work and a retaining wall.

Also present were Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Phesal Talib, Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan, DBKL director-general Datuk Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz and Lembah Pantai Umno chief Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Kampung Kerinchi resident Mohd Zain Ibrahim, 43, is looking forward to using the road.

“The jam used to occur during off-peak times too.

“Now I can connect to the Federal Highway without having to go through Jalan Kerinchi,” he said.