KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Konsortium Lebuhraya Utara Timur (KL) Sdn Bhd (Kesturi) has received support from the Kepong and Segambut residents associations for the ongoing construction of the Lebuhraya Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE) phase II extension.

Kesturi director Chua Soo Kok said they had held two town hall meetings with the residents’ associations and received positive support.

“From the feedback received, we can say that 90 per cent of the public in those areas have agreed with us on the construction of the new highway.

“The project, which will take three years to complete, will be elevated and will not affect existing houses as we will be building on existing roads,” said Chua.

He said once the highway is completed, travel time between Sri Damansara and Segambut would be reduced from 45 minutes to 15 minutes.

“This project would enhance DUKE by providing alternative routes for commuters travelling to and from the city centre (Jalan Tun Razak) and also the north-western corridors such as Rawang and Sungai Buloh.

“It will be an alternative to the Middle Ring Road II (MRR2) designed to relieve congestion on the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP),” said Chua.

The DUKE phase II project will be built between Sri Damansara and Segambut.

The dual carriageway will consist of six lanes. 

Works on the 14km DUKE II project began in January and is slated to be completed by December 2016 and open to the public the following month.

The briefing was attended by representatives of the Taman Kepong, Kepong Baru and Segambut residents associations.

Gerakan Public Service and Complaints Bureau chairman Wilson Lau also attended the meeting.