PETALING JAYA: Developers of high-density housing and commercial projects will have to bear the cost of building an interchange if their property is located near any highway. 

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said those who failed to do so would be denied access to the highway.  He said his ministry was empowered to deny the construction of access roads from any development onto a highway if developers did not take up the responsibility. 

The minister was commenting on the six interchange projects costing RM174mil by Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak) for the LDP highway.  The projects were carried out after property developers failed to construct seven out of 12 interchanges agreed upon. 

“We cannot take action against the developers because the development is under the area of the local council,” said Samy Vellu.  “Local municipal councils must ensure that high-density projects have the terms and conditions to ensure developers pay for the interchange.  

“Otherwise, these small access roads leading to the highway would cause traffic to slow down and defeat the purpose of a highway, which is to speed up traffic.” 

Citing the Kelana Jaya interchange as an example, Samy Vellu said 17 developers had agreed to build the interchange initially but the project never materialised as each of them claimed to be out of funds, forcing Litrak to put up temporary and unsafe u-turns. 

“Litrak is not extending its concession agreement or increasing the toll although they are fully funding the project. The only benefit they are getting is a smoother traffic flow and more road users,” said Samy Vellu. 

Earlier, Litrak general manager (operations) Sazally Saidi outlined the purpose of the upgrade as: