KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Some 63.35 per cent of the nearly 300km Central Spine Road (LTU) connecting the East Coast Expressway junction in Bentong, Pahang, to Kuala Krai, Kelantan, has been completed.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said as of July 10, there was a delay of 0.39 per cent from the scheduled 63.74 per cent, taking into account the approved extension of time.
“The LTU project, implemented in phases since 2008, is subject to central agency approval. Eleven projects have been completed, 14 are under construction and one is in the procurement process,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to a question from Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz about the status of the project and measures to reduce delays.
Nanta said Package 1 (Kuala Krai to Sungai Lakit Bridge) is 11.59 per cent complete, Package 2(Sungai Lakit Bridge to Gua Musang) is 22.4 per cent complete, Package 3 (Gua Musang to Kampung Relong) is 84.25 per cent complete; Package 4 (Kampung Relong to Raub) is 63.69 per cent complete, Package 5 (Raub to Bentong) has been opened to users, and Package 6 (Bentong to the East Coast Expressway junction) is 30.07 per cent complete.
“Each issue, including land acquisition, utility relocation, traffic management, labour shortage, unpredictable weather and rising material costs, will be addressed effectively based on best construction practices and current regulations,” he said.
He said the Works Ministry plans to upgrade the East-West Corridor from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, to Gerik, Perak, and from Simpang Pulai, Perak, to Kenyir, Terengganu, under the 2030 Highway Network Development Plan 2030.
Planned upgrades include the FT004 route from Kupang, Kedah, to Tanah Merah, Kelantan (204km), another FT004 stretch from Pasir Puteh to Machang-Jeli (46.3km), FT185 from Simpang Pulai to Gua Musang (94km), and the FT1744/FT185 segment from Chiku, Kelantan, to Basung, Terengganu (39km).
Nanta noted that the Third Rolling Plan (RP3) and the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for these projects have been approved.
RP3 covers upgrading the route from Kampung Pak Badol to Kampung Banir Belikong in Pasir Puteh and the replacement of two bridges in Jeli.
RP4 involves upgrading the East-West Highway from Section 113 to Section 151 in Gerik, Perak.
“Additionally, projects under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council include the FT482 Pasir Puteh-Tok Bali route, involving land acquisition under the 12MP,” he said.
Nanta was replying to a supplementary question from Nik Mohamad Abduh regarding his ministry’s plans to upgrade the East-West Corridor, specifically from Pasir Puteh to Gerik and from Simpang Pulai to Kenyir, Terengganu.
— Bernama
