A road costing RM140mil is being constructed between Kluang and Segamat in Johor to shorten the travel distance from the current 70km to just 13km.
Paloh assemblyman Lee Ting Han said the Jalan Paloh-Bekok project, which was expected to be completed by September 2027, would reduce travel time for those commuting between Paloh in Kluang and Bekok in Segamat.
“Currently, it takes travellers and residents about one hour to travel between Paloh and Bekok.
“With the new road, the travel time will be shortened to just 15 minutes.”
The project, he said, would see the construction of two lanes.
“This project not only saves fuel and time, it also opens up new opportunities for economic development and eco-tourism activities for the area,” said Lee, who is also Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman.
The project, he said, had seen challenges in the land acquisition process that caused delays to the original schedule.
“Now that the main issues have been resolved, I hope the project can proceed smoothly according to the timeline.
“Kluang Public Works Department will also provide monthly updates on its Facebook page to keep the public informed on the progress,” he said.
Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong said he and Lee visited the project site with community leaders from both districts.
“Former Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong and former Paloh assemblyman Teoh Yap Kun spent years pushing for the project.
“We are glad it will soon become a reality,” Tan said.
He added that the project was initially proposed during former transport minister and MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s tenure and was subsequently pursued by former health minister and MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
