THE Widening of Jalan Gombak in Kuala Lumpur will be completed by May 5 next year.

The project involves the creation of an extra lane on both sides from Jalan Genting Klang to the border of Kuala Lumpur.

According to City Hall public affairs and international unit deputy director Anwar Mohd Zain, the 4km-long project will see the road widened by between 30 and 40 metres.

Pedestrians will be smiling soon as sidewalks and kerbs will make their appearance on both sides of the road with new drains and four bridges along the thoroughfare.

He said the project, initiated by City Hall on May 15, 2006, was aimed at better traffic control.

Anwar said the current road system along Jalan Gombak was disorganized and unable to sustain traffic flow.

While work on the road has not noticeably affected traffic, it has forced a row of stalls to move away from the kerb.

Hawker Nazri Saidin said City Hall had cancelled permits and declined to issue new ones.

"We have tried applying for new permits but they have not been approved," he added.