East-West highway upgrade can assure safety of road users
24 Aug 2023 10:42pm
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an additional allocation of RM30 million for upgrading the East-West Highway linking Gerik to Jeli. - FILE PIX
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an additional allocation of RM30 million for upgrading the East-West Highway linking Gerik to Jeli.
The allocation was for the one-off maintenance cost of the highway, estimated at RM80 million to RM100 million.
In Terengganu, 41-year-old Siti Azizah Ahmad, who frequently uses the JRTB to go from Terengganu to Kedah, said the huge allocation to upgrade the road would not only provide comfort to motorists but their safety will also be more assured.
The civil servant said the very 'deteriorated’ road structure made the road accident-prone as it could cause vehicles to veer out of control when the tyres hit the huge potholes.
"The government's concern is a relief to all JRTB users, who have so far been 'taking a gamble’ on our safety each time we used the route,” said Shuhaida, who commutes from Kuala Terengganu to Jitra, Kedah, every month.
Another civil servant, 31-year-old Nurnatasya Jamaludin claimed that she had to change to a new car because her previous compact car often broke down after one year of commuting from Kedah to Terengganu using that road.
"I also had to always change my old car's tyres frequently as they were easily damaged or wore out due to the many potholes along the road,” she said, adding that work to upgrade the road would also be able to ensure the safety of commuters.
In Perak, 58-year-old Abdul Wahid Ali Othman, a boat house trader in Pulau Banding, said he had to send his car for tyre alignment five to six times a month due to the poor condition of the road, which is damaged and full of potholes.
His 46-year-old wife, Norazizan Sharif, who commutes three times daily for 45 kilometres (km) from their house to her business location, said the street lights along the road also need to be increased to brighten the dark stretches along the route at night.
Another commuter, 54-year-old Rahmah Zainal said reflectors and warning signs should be increased to prevent the risk of accidents, especially at road corners.
In Kelantan, Izani Transport managing director Izani Zakari welcomed the announcement made by the Prime Minister as the tour and school buses he owned would frequently ply the route.
"As a public transportation entrepreneur, this road should have been upgraded a long time ago to provide comfort to the ever increasing number of commuters.
"This road is in terrible condition and a danger to motorists. During festive and school holidays, accidents often occur, causing many fatalities on the JRTB,” he said.
As for 55-year-old Shaidi Yusoff, of Kampung Gemang, Jeli, the development of infrastructures, especially roads, was vital for the district which is currently enjoying rapid progress.
"Jeli is the gateway to the northern part of the Peninsula and the district's location, which borders Thailand, also requires a good road network. The existing road has lots of potholes and in very bad condition.
"Swift action needs to be taken because Jeli is now a focal point for many because there are educational institutions like Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and the Jeli Polytechnic, resulting in more people using the JRTB,” he said - BERNAMA
