KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry is conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a new highway from Simpang Pelangai, Pahang, to Putrajaya.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the study aimed to find solutions to complete the connectivity of the Lingkaran Tengah Utama.
"It also seeks to identify alternative routes to reduce congestion on the route from the east coast to the west coast of Malaysia.
"This study has been approved in the Fourth Rolling Plan with an allocation of RM2.5 million. The study began on Aug 12 and is scheduled for completion on Aug 12 next year," he said in reply to Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan), who inquired about the ministry's plans to solve traffic congestion at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway. He also wanted to know if alternative routes would be built from Kuala Lumpur to the east coast.
Ahmad said the study would comprise aspects such as land-use, socio-economy, traffic and environmental screening, among others.
To the initial question on work to widen the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway to accommodate the growing traffic, Ahmad said, "The concession company is now finalising the design before starting physical construction work on-site, which is expected to begin in January next year. This delay is due to a recent change in shareholders.
"According to the concession agreement, the construction period for the widening of the highway is four years and is expected to be completed in 2029."
He said the RM2.1 billion project along the 45.3km stretch included the construction of a new two-lane tunnel in Genting Sempah, which will be built next to the east-bound tunnel (from Pahang).