KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Works Department (JKR) has taken immediate action to repair damaged pavement at the Federal Highway motorcycle lane towards Klang after several motorcyclists crashed at the location on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said JKR had also installed "SLOW DOWN" signs and conducted skid tests under dry and wet conditions to assess the actual performance of the road surface.
He said JKR had been ordered to conduct a comprehensive technical investigation to establish the cause of the incidents without drawing any early conclusions.
"The investigation will examine the level of skid resistance of the surface when wet, the condition of the pavement and the possibility of oil or diesel contamination," he said in a post on X on Thursday (Sept 24).
Nanta said preliminary information showed that the coloured surface on the motorcycle lane had been designed and installed as an anti-skid finish according to the prescribed work specifications.
"However, during the incident, there was light rain, and the road surface was reported to have been slightly wet. We were also informed that several motorcyclists had crashed at the same location," he said.
Nanta said improvement works, including mill and pave treatment and the installation of a 40-kilometre-per-hour (km/h) advisory speed limit sign, would be carried out at the location.
"What is important is that we will learn from this incident. If the investigation finds weaknesses in the materials, work implementation, design or maintenance aspects, we will take the necessary corrective action," he said.
He also expressed sympathy to the motorcyclists involved, stressing that the safety of road users, particularly motorcyclists using the lane daily, remained a priority.
A video of several motorcyclists allegedly falling while travelling on the wet green-coloured surface of the Federal Highway motorcycle lane went viral on social media yesterday.
The 42-second video showed several motorcycles lying on the lane, while several motorcyclists were seen at the roadside. – Bernama
