GERIK: The Works Ministry is preparing a road condition assessment (PCA) report to facilitate maintenance and paving work on the Gerik-Jeli route of the East-West Highway (JRTB) to be carried out soon, says its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).
He said the PCA is being done “according to the latest, modern and internationally applicable methods”.
“However, all the facilities and methods used depend on the allocations given, especially in building and repairing roads,” he said during a visit to the location of the bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.
Nanta previously announced that the crash location was among the sections along the highway that had been identified for upgrading work this year, with an allocation of RM55mil.
The minister also said that various initiatives had been put in place since 2023 to improve the Gerik-Jeli route, especially on the FT04 federal road, Bernama reported.
He said funds totalling RM80mil were also allocated to cover 55 scopes of work under the periodic pavement maintenance programme, which aims to ensure that the route on the JRTB is in good condition.
Nanta added that RM3.58mil was allocated for the street light and signal light maintenance project involving the maintenance of traffic lights and the installation of solar lights along the JRTB, which will begin next month.
He said the installation of solar-powered lights would also involve the location of the fatal bus crash.
“This project is currently in the procurement process by the Perak Public Works Department, and is expected to be completed by the end of October,” the minister said.
