RM2.4 Billion Allocated For Road Maintenance In Peninsula This Year - Nanta

SEREMBAN, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The Works Ministry has allocated RM2.4 billion this year for federal road maintenance in Peninsular Malaysia, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure safe and high-quality road infrastructure for the public.

Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that out of the total allocation, RM1.3 billion had been utilised as of September for periodic pavement and non-pavement works, as well as traffic light and bridge maintenance.

He said this includes RM37 million allocated for road safety infrastructure upgrades, involving 109 projects - 76 under the blackspot and 33 under the pedestrian crossing traffic light (LPKSI).

“To date, a total of 77 Certificates of Practical Completion (CPC) have been issued, while 1,402 CPCs worth RM1.1 billion have been implemented under work order maintenance,” he said at the CPC and allocation for the blackspot, LPKSI and AK projects presentation ceremony, as well as the handover of the letter of acceptance (SST) for the federal road project here today.

He added that the project would not only enhance the safety and comfort of federal road users but also stimulate local economic activity, as it involves more than 1,700 contractors and hundreds of workers indirectly.

Nanta said this also reflects the government’s commitment to construction, maintenance and continuous improvement of federal roads across Peninsular Malaysia.

“For instance, the blackspot initiative is one of the ministry’s strategic efforts to reduce accident rates at high-risk locations, based on accident data collected from various agencies, with an average effectiveness rate of up to 80 per cent,” he said.

He added that the LPKSI project was introduced to ensure that roads are user-friendly for all groups, with pedestrian crossings equipped with dedicated traffic lights built near educational institutions and healthcare facilities with high pedestrian traffic.

In the meantime, he said the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) are also focusing on new high-impact developments, with RM2.6 billion allocated for project implementation in Negeri Sembilan.

“I urge the state government and local authorities to make full use of the MYJalan portal for the safety and convenience of the public,” he said, adding that the portal has received over 40,000 complaints, including those related to road and drainage damage.

He said the ministry remains committed to ensuring that all road development and maintenance initiatives are carried out effectively, in line with the MADANI Government’s aspiration to strengthen a road network that is quality, sustainable, safe and comfortable for all.

-- BERNAMA