Motorists who were travelling to Ayer Keroh along the North-South Highway yesterday would have experienced some delays in the afternoon due to the closure of exit lanes at the Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza. This was necessary because of an incident at 11:30 am involving a lorry carrying WRDA 96M (a chemical admixture used in construction work) which spilled the chemical as it turned a few metres before the toll plaza exit lane. Although no one was injured, the situation was considered hazardous and taking into account the safety of highway users and toll plaza staff, the Fire and Rescue Department ordered the exit lanes to be immediately closed to all vehicles. The closure was also to facilitate cleaning, evaluation and removal works to be done in a safe and controlled environment.

Throughout the closure period, information and messages on the incident were continuously disseminated through highway electronic message boards at strategic locations, the PLUSTrafik Twitter and other social media platforms. Highway users were advised to exit the PLUS highway through the Simpang Ampat (Alor Gajah) and Jasin toll plazas.

“The Fire and Rescue Department teams from Ayer Keroh, Alor Gajah and Tangga Batu as well as Hazmat and Propel were able to undertake immediate and smooth incident clearance works and it contributed to all exit lanes being re-opened to all at 3:50 pm,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi. He applauded and thanked all agencies for their collaboration in controlling and containing the chemical spillage incident.

“PLUS would also like to thank all highway users for their cooperation and understanding throughout the whole event. They enabled us to carry out smooth and swift clearance works during the incident,” he added.