IPOH: Road users will soon see improvements along Jalan Lahat here, where a RM2.6mil resurfacing project covering nearly 4km is slated to begin in July.
The stretch of road links the state constituencies of Buntong, Tebing Tinggi and Menglembu.
Menglembu assemblyman Chaw Kam Foon said the project, funded through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) would involve resurfacing both directions of Jalan Lahat from the Falim traffic lights to the Jalan Leong Boon Swee junction near Little India.
He said the approval was welcome news for motorists who regularly use the road, which has become notorious for potholes and uneven surfaces.
“Jalan Lahat is about 10km to 11km long, but this project will focus on the most critical stretch, covering about 1.9km in each direction, or almost 4km in total.
“The allocation for the resurfacing works is approximately RM2.6mil,” he told reporters on Wednesday (June 24).
Chaw said the issue recently gained attention after social media users highlighted the deteriorating condition of the road, including a large pothole on a flyover section that prompted safety concerns among motorists.
He said a viral video showing the pothole had led to immediate action, with the defect patched shortly after the matter was raised.
“About 20 vehicles were reported to have suffered tyre punctures this month alone after hitting potholes along the affected stretch,” he said.
Councillor K. Sivam said the resurfacing project had been repeatedly requested since 2024 and that approval was finally secured this year.
He said the tender process was currently underway and works were expected to commence in July, with completion targeted within about three weeks.
“The road serves residential areas, schools and commercial zones, and is heavily used by large vehicles and lorries.
“Previous patching works were not effective because of weather conditions and the volume of traffic. Full resurfacing is now necessary,” he said.
Sivam also attributed some of the road damage to past utility excavation works, including sewerage pipeline installations, where restoration works were not carried out satisfactorily.
He said the resurfacing project would include levelling manholes, removing road undulations and repainting lane markings.
He added that utility companies carrying out future excavation works would be monitored by the Corridor Utiliti Darul Ridzuan (KUDR) which has the authority to ensure roads are restored according to approved specifications.
“Companies that fail to properly reinstate roads can be fined, compounded or ordered to carry out repairs again,” he said.
