Motorists and visitors along Jalan Ampang now have to travel further and make U-turns as Kuala Lumpur City Hall insists that road dividers will improve traffic flow.
The divider, near the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) building up to Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, which has been under construction for over a month, has caused daily gridlock.
Outbound motorists are forced to use existing openings near the pirvate hospital or travel as far as Jalan Nipah to make a U-turn. Drivers to and from Jalan Ritchie also struggle to exit and enter Jalan Ampang.
“It has been nerve-racking driving along Jalan Ampang,” said K.C. Gan, a 29-year-old business analyst working in 3 Towers.
“Sometimes I am forced to enter the hospital to make a U-turn. I don’t like doing this, but I have no choice.”
An e-hailing driver who wished to be known as Alif said picking up and dropping off passengers in the area has become difficult.
“I don’t understand why they are building this divider. It’s a big mess, especially during peak hours. The road is already narrow,” he said.
In response to queries from Twentytwo13, City Hall’s Engineering and Drainage Department said the divider is meant to manage traffic flow and reduce head-on collisions.
“The project is to reduce congestion on Jalan Ampang, one of the main roads into Kuala Lumpur. Traffic will be smoother when fewer vehicles enter and exit commercial premises,” the department said in a statement to Twentytwo13 yesterday.
City Hall says construction work along Jalan Ampang will be completed next year.
City Hall said only emergency vehicles, including ambulances, are permitted to use the existing openings to access Gleneagles Hospital. Other vehicles are required to make a U-turn at the Jalan Ampang-Jalan Jelatek intersection, 300 metres away.
The 3.2km divider stretches from Jalan Tun Razak to the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) intersection. Jalan Ampang will remain a two-lane road in both directions, with 3.25m lanes and bus lanes maintained.
City Hall said the project was announced on Feb 13 and feedback is welcome.
Asked if engagement sessions had been carried out with businesses, including building owners in the area, City Hall instead said: “Engagement sessions were held with the Russian, Chinese and Thai embassies on May 9, informing them about the closure of openings and U-turn points.”
The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 and will include streetlights, pedestrian walkways, drainage, and resurfacing.