Five roads to close for KL City Grand Prix

Five major roads in the city will be closed next weekend to make way for the KL City Grand Prix.

The affected roads are Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak and Jalan P. Ramlee.

Those heading for the city’s first street race are advised to use public transport as the roads will be closed from 6am to 6pm, from Aug 7 to 9.

Only vehicles going to the properties near parts of Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee and Jalan Sultan Ismail would be allowed.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was working with the police on traffic restrictions and road safety.

“We have also spoken with the surrounding property owners to inform their staff about the event.

“Traffic information will also be distributed to all property owners.

“I hope the companies affected will make the effort to inform their staff on the traffic restrictions as well as event date and time,” he said after meeting with organiser GT Global Race and various agencies in the organising committee on Monday to discuss the finer details of the event.

Mohd Amin said a lot of questions were raised by the agencies on various possibilities that may happen during the event and a lot of views were shared.

“GT Global Race agreed to allocate 500 employees to work during the race.

“They will be stationed along the 3.2km circuit to assist if an accident should happen and assist the public if needed.

“The Integrated Transport Information System variable message signboards will also display traffic information to the public,” he said.

Mohd Amin said City Hall had engaged with Prasarana and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to make any necessary arrangements.

Prasarana group communications and strategic marketing executive vice-president Lim Jin Aun said the monorail and Kelana Jaya line would run as usual.

Meanwhile, a statement by SPAD said the bus services affected by the event in the central business district would be rerouted for the three days.

The buses would use existing bus stops along the redirected routes and services. The public can call the SPAD hotline at 1-800-88-7723.

GT Global Race chief executive officer M. Arrasu said their traffic management plans as presented to the DBKL Task Force Committee, traffic police and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research was approved.

“We have devised a plan to divert the traffic away from the track area as well as provide access to the event area to those who require it.

“A plan is also in place to facilitate access after the end of the day’s event from 6pm to 6am,” he said.

Arrasu said pedestrians would not be affected much throughout the event.

“Generally, pedestrian access will not be restricted on race days,” he said, adding that track crossings would be provided at five strategic locations six times a day.

“On Aug 7 and 9, pedestrian track crossing times are 8am, 8.40am, 2pm, 2.40pm, 2am and 2.40am while on Aug 8, it will be at 9am, 9.40am, 3pm, 3.40pm, 3am and 3.40am.

“On top of that, there will be continuous access to existing features such as the Bukit Bintang-KLCC elevated walkway as well as the Bukit Nanas and Raja Chulan monorail stations,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix is taking place from Aug 7 to 9.

Tickets are priced at RM350 for Perak, Sultan Ismail and Ampang grandstand and RM450 for P. Ramlee Pit grandstand.

Premium walkabout tickets are priced at RM50 for adult and RM20 for children between three and 12 years old. Gates open at 9am daily.

For traffic information, call the 24-hour hotline at 019-374 7774.

For ticketing details and other information, visit www.gtcitygrandprix.com

-thestar online.