Roadworks in Karak Highway Causes Overnight Traffic Congestion & Road Users are Enraged

With Raya in just a few days, those who celebrate have started their balik kampung journey earlier as some companies have allowed WFK (working from kampung). Others took the opportunity to escape the hectic traffic and enjoy the journey, but those who used Karak highway last night couldn’t say the same for themselves.

Images of hectic traffic along the Karak Highway spread like wildfire on social media last night and this morning (April 17 & 18), with many road users expressing their annoyance at being stuck in the unforeseen traffic congestion. The traffic congestion stretched as long as 11.7 KM at the Kuala Lumpur – Karak Highway. It started last night and lasted until this morning, thanks to roadworks. 

According to the Twitter page of East Coast Expressway (LPT), the traffic congestion started at KM20.1 eastbound until the location of the roadworks.

“The closure is for pavement rehabilitation works,” LPT said.

The middle and right lanes from KM31.8 to KM32.7 eastbound (Genting Sempah) were also closed to facilitate roadworks. The lanes were scheduled to be closed from 8:30 PM last night until 8 AM this morning.

9.00am KL-Karak @E8 : Trafik sesak 11.7KM dari Km 20.1 arah timur sehingga ke lokasi kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan. Hati-hati memandu.@llmtrafik https://t.co/tVC8D75Mie

— GMBK-KARAK-KTN-JABOR (@LPTTrafik) April 18, 2023

As of 12:01 PM today, LPT announced that the traffic on both sides of the highway has cleared.

“3 lanes merging into 1” 

We really cannot imagine the feeling of being stuck in traffic for a long night, and many netizens, especially those who were affected by the unforeseen traffic slammed the roadwork which caused them to be stuck there for up to 5 hours.

“Did I pay the toll for this traffic?”

“Can’t they do it earlier? It’s already the last week of Ramadhan, and the highway should be free of maintenance, unless in an emergency situation.”

“The stupidest thing ever. Don’t you guys have any other days to do?”

“365 days a year, and you guys had to choose this day to pave the road.”

Another road user who was stuck for 4 hours said that traffic congestion started from the Gombak Toll all the way to Genting Sempah.

“3 lanes merged into 1. If you’re using Karak Highway, check on Waze before you start your journey, and bring some snacks. It should’ve been 30 minutes but instead, it was 3 hours. All because they were too hardworking to pave the road.”

Another road user said that some people were stuck in the traffic for a long 5 hours!

“It started right after the Gombak toll. Started my journey at 6:30 pm from Ipoh, and I wasn’t even at Bukit Tinggi 2 hours later. Some people were stuck there in the middle of the night, and it took them 5 hours to reach Bentong. The road to KL was clear though.”

Do share with us your experience or any pictures if you were among the road users who were stuck on Karak Highway last night!

Also read: Traffic in Klang Valley is NO JOKE as Drivers Spend 44 Hours Per Month Just Commuting!