Johor bahru: Final discussions with contractors and related agencies are expected to conclude this week to finalise the location and date for the phased opening of the three-lane road under the Pasir Gudang Highway widening project.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh stated that the road opening would be carried out in stages involving several sections along the five-kilometre work area, depending on the level of readiness and current safety aspects. This approach aims to allow the completed sections to be opened earlier, facilitating public access and usage.
Mohamad Fazli emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between expediting the project and minimizing traffic disruptions, noting that opening only one lane during ongoing work would cause significant disruptions. During a site visit, he highlighted the need to keep at least two lanes operational to avoid traffic issues.
He identified two critical areas, CH1170 in front of Petron and CH4200 near the Wau replica roundabout, which are plagued by potholes, poor lighting, and uneven road surfaces. Efforts are ongoing to address these issues, with over 467 patching works completed since January. The contractor assured that the installation of 197 streetlights along the route would be completed by July 11, alongside additional safety measures such as spotlights and warning blinkers at blind spots.
Motorists whose vehicles sustain damage due to potholes on the project route can file compensation claims with the contractor or concessionaire. Mohamad Fazli reiterated that maintaining road safety is a contractual obligation between the Public Works Department and the concessionaire. Affected road users should lodge police reports and submit claims with photographic evidence of the incident location.
The Pasir Gudang Highway is a crucial route, serving Pasir Gudang, the country's largest industrial area with over 5,000 factories. The highway also connects Johor Port and Tanjung Langsat Port. Phase 3 of the upgrading project, from the Perling Elevated Interchange to the North-South Expressway On-ramp, will expand the highway from four to six lanes at a cost of RM301.5 million, with completion expected by June 2028.
Additionally, Phase 2B of the project, covering the stretch from the Bandar Seri Alam/Taman Rinting Interchange to Pasir Gudang, will also be widened to six lanes at a cost of RM78 million, with a scheduled completion by February 2026.