KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM34.19mil this year for the installation of solar-powered light-emitting diode (LED) street lights at 362 selected locations on federal roads nationwide, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).
The Works Minister said solar lights are more suitable for installation in areas far from the electricity grid, locations prone to cable theft or vandalism, as well as village and interior roads.
“The installation of solar-powered street lights will continue to be assessed in a targeted manner based on technical suitability, cost-effectiveness, maintenance requirements and the benefits of green technology,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara yesterday, Bernama reported.
He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Anna Bell @ Suzieana Perian on the ministry’s plan to prioritise the installation of solar street lights in rural and interior areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
However, Nanta said replacing damaged conventional LED street lights in areas with existing electricity supply was still a more economical option because the cost of installing solar street lights was higher.
This was due to the battery component estimated to comprise around 60% of the total price of the lighting equipment.
Answering a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh on the proposed installation of street lights from the Genting Sempah tunnel to the Karak toll plaza, Nanta said 297 units of solar-powered LED street lights would be installed at several locations on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK), which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
He said a contractor for the work had been appointed while the installation locations covered several east and westbound lanes between Bentong Timur, Karak and Kampung Sungai Dua.
Apart from the installation of solar LED lights, Nanta said street lights would be installed along a stretch of 26km from the area after the Genting Sempah tunnel to the Mempaga intersection through the KLK widening project which would be implemented in stages.
He said 13 locations where accidents frequently occurred on the KLK and the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 had been identified this year for improvement and mitigation actions, including the installation of crash barriers, pavement rehabilitation and improvements to road safety furniture.
Nanta also said initial monitoring found that some improved locations saw a reduction in accidents of up to 100% compared to the same period last year.
Responding to Mohamad Zaini’s original question on measures to increase capacity, safety and smooth traffic at KLK, Nanta said the widening project from KM19.2 at the Gombak toll plaza to KM64.5 at the Mempaga intersection had recorded 6.4% progress as of July 25 and was expected to be completed in 2030.
The project, which began last March and was implemented by AFA Prime Bhd, aims to increase road capacity and reduce congestion, especially during festive seasons, public holidays and weekends.
