Sunday, June 10, 2007

Smart Tunnel Toll Collection Begins Midnight Friday

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 - Toll collection at the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) motorway will start at midnight on Friday and the rate will be announced shortly, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

"I'll announce the toll rate at a news conference in one or two days," he told reporters after opening the Hindu Dharma Mamandram national delegates' meeting in Batu Caves here Sunday.

Asked whether the government would guarantee that the toll rate would be reasonable and would not burden the public, Samy Vellu said they should understand that the cost of building a road tunnel was higher than that of a normal highway.

"I can't guarantee you that there'll be a reasonable toll because it cost a lot of money to build the tunnel," he said.

The RM1.9 billion project between Jalan Sungai Besi and Jalan Ampang includes a road tunnel costing 3.3kmRM650 million. Road users have been using the motorway for free since May 14.

Samy Vellu said the public had the option of using the road tunnel for speedier travel or other existing roads.

The 9.7km SMART project is meant to divert rain water away from the city centre to prevent flash floods and alleviate traffic congestion, especially for those coming into the city from the south.

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