SIMPANG PULAI: The stretch of road from Section 43.9 to the Section 44 of FT185 Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands will be realigned.
Perak Public Works Department (PWD) director Zulkipli Nasri said the federal government has allocated RM130 million for road alignment works due to a series of soil movement incidents along the stretch.
"If we look at the stretch, the slope is too close to the current main road. The slope is not in a good condition.
"As such, the stretch (from Section 43.9 to the Section 44) measuring about 600 meters, will be realigned and (in the meantime) we will make use of the old trunk road here," he said after visiting the soil movement incident at Section 43.9 of FT185 Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands here today.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad and Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
"We had already come up with the road alignment plan, and the federal government has given the green light to start the work in December this year. We didn't expect the soil movement to take place this soon.
"We need to conduct soil investigation first so that we can identify the type of soil. Only then we can come up with the design and how to strengthen and stabilise the slope.
"The road realignment will take about three years to complete and we hope to strengthen and stabilise the slope by Dec 2024," he said.
Zulkipli said that at the moment some improvement would be done on the old trunk road to allow at least light vehicles to pass through the affected stretch.
"We will conduct further investigation and discuss the matter with the Slope Division Technical Team. We will see the suitable method that will be used.
"We are trying our best to assist the motorists, especially economic activities in Cameron Highlands, to transport their crops and other goods.
"As we know, the tourism activity in Cameron Highlands has just opened and many people will come here...at least, the old trunk road here can be used for light vehicles," he said.
The FT185 federal road between Simpang Pulai and Cameron Highlands was closed to all vehicles due to slope failure.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Zolkafly Harun said Section 43.9 was closed beginning 9pm last night until further notice.
Zolkafly had said that continuous heavy rain for several days caused the soil structure to be unstable and weak.
Road users are advised to use alternative road, which is via FT059 - Jalan Tapah-Ringlet.
It was reported that a soil movement occurred near the section, which was in Section 44 in 2014, and was repaired in Dec 2015.
The slope at the stretch has remained exposed and barren for many years despite several slope stabilisation and erosion control efforts by the PWD, including the use of vegetation.