KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic in highways swelled considerably yesterday, the start of the school term holidays.
Traffic was heavy entering Kuala Lumpur as well as several major roads in the city centre.
A Malaysian Highway Authority spokesman said bumper-to bumper traffic was reported on the following North-South Expressway (PLUS) northbound routes: Slim River to Sungkai, Tapah to Gopeng, Rawang Selatan to the Rawang lay-by, Sungai Buloh to Sungai Buaya, Ipoh to Sungai Perak, Kuala Kangsar to Changkat Jering, Bandar Baharu to Jawi, Permatang Pauh to Sungai Dua, Permatang Pauh to Juru, Juru Auto City to Juru toll plaza and Ipoh to Simpang Pulai.
"For southbound routes, major congestion was reported from Skudai to Senai, Sedenak to Simpang Renggam, Kajang to Nilai, Seremban to Senawang, Ayer Keroh to Jasin, Yong Peng to Yong Peng Utara, and Simpang Renggam to Machap R&R.
"Traffic in the Kuala Lumpur- Karak highway was choked from Genting Sempah to Bukit Tinggi, and before the Gombak toll plaza heading to Kuantan," said the spokesman.
The congestion was expected to continue until midnight.
"Traffic is expected to become congested (today) for north, south and east coast routes from 9.30am to late evening.
"The next day (tomorrow), gridlock is predicted in north, south and eastern routes towards Kuala Lumpur city centre," said the spokesman.
He said the forecast was based on traffic congestion trends during holidays.
Checks around the city centre here showed that almost all major roads were jammed.
Heavy traffic was reported in the Federal Highway, Jalan Bangsar to the city centre, Jalan Kuching and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.