Elevated Highway Aims To End Traffic Disaster In Seberang Prai

Penang's first third-level flyover and an 8.95-kilometer elevated highway will be built as part of the upcoming Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway (JSEH). The RM3bil JSEH, expected to be completed in 2030, aims to alleviate traffic congestion on Penang's mainland, specifically the "longest traffic jam in the northern region," which often stretches over 17 km.

The state infrastructure committee chairman, Zairil Khir Johari, announced that the new 17.4-kilometer, eight-lane link will separate local and highway traffic, similar to the Ipoh North-South Expressway section.


This new system will replace the current outdated highway, which forces vehicles to exit at Juru, navigate local roads, and re-enter at Sungai Dua.

“There are times when over 80% of the daily traffic in Seberang Perai is just passing through. The vehicles just exit the expressway in the south and drive north to the toll plaza towards Kedah, Perlis and even southern Thailand.

"With the JSEH, motorists in Kedah, Perlis and mainland Penang will no longer have to ‘share’ the road. JSEH will completely separate through-traffic and local traffic,” he says in a The Star report.

Zairil noted that island traffic using the Penang Bridge to reach the mainland will be able to access the North-South Motorway via JSEH immediately upon bridge exit, instead of going to the Juru toll plaza.

“We will also eliminate one of the most “feared” intersections along this route near Juru Auto City.

“From the current eight phases with many traffic lights and a flyover, it will become free-flowing with two elevated u-turns for local traffic to cross over,” he stated. 

JSEH's construction cost of RM3bil was kept low due to minimal land acquisition requirements. The highway will utilize existing highway space and reserve land adjacent to the route, minimizing the need for land purchases.

This approach was confirmed by the chairman of the state infrastructure committee, who also highlighted that the highway incorporates elevated segments, flyovers, ramps, slip roads, and split toll plazas.

“This is also why we can start the construction quickly,” said Zairil, adding that physical work was expected to start by the fourth quarter.