BENTONG: After several setbacks, the 306km toll-free Central Spine Road (CSR) connecting Bentong, Pahang, and Kota Baru, Kelantan, will be fully completed in 2026.
Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Covid-19 pandemic along with other issues had resulted in some delays in the four-lane dual-carriageway project but it will not involve any increase in cost.
"There were some delays but so far works have been ongoing as scheduled. The delays were not only due to the pandemic but there were other problems, including those involving utility.
"Most road construction works (in other places) including the CSR are now gaining momentum and will operate in full swing (soon), we expect to complete the entire stretch in 2026. There is no spike in cost due to the delays and all the funds for the CSR project have been approved, and disbursed accordingly."
Fadillah said this after the handing over of Section 5C and 5D between the Bentong bypass and Lebu at the Mempaga roundabout here today.
He earlier jointly officiated the 28.5km stretch which was built with a cost of RM631.98 million with Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
CSR, which deploys the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) method, comprises six phases: from Kuala Krai to Jambatan Sungai Lakit, Kelantan (47km); Jambatan Sungai Lakit to Gua Musang, Kelantan (60km); Gua Musang to Kampung Relong, Pahang (94km); Kampung Relong to Raub, Pahang (45km); Raub to Bentong (54km); and Bentong to Simpang Pelangai (8km).
Meanwhile, Fadillah said plans to expand the CSR project beyond Bentong to connect Negri Sembilan and Johor would largely depend on the budget.
He said the construction of the stretch between Bentong and Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan would not be carried out under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
"The project (Bentong to Kuala Pilah stretch) is already part of the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) and will resume once we secure new fund allocation; it might be done in stages during the 13th or 14th Malaysia Plan," he said.
On the RM7.3 million CSR project, Fadillah said several kilometres of the stretch had already been completed and are now used by travellers.
"The existing Federal road between Bentong and Kota Baru experiences a high volume of traffic during festive seasons, especially in Raub and Bentong town. The newly-opened stretch today will reduce travel time between 50 minutes and one hour and could curb road accidents.
"The road will offer convenience and better accessibility for road users to the east coast and is hoped to boost the economy in west Pahang, especially for the tourism and small and medium enterprises," he said, adding the Bentong bypass-Raub stretch would be completed in 2023.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the newly-opened stretch was important not only for the people living nearby but also those in the Klang Valley.
"Balik kampung trips during Aidilfitri and Aidiladha will (now) be very convenient. Instead of spending long hours on the road to travel to Kelantan, motorists can be sure of a more comfortable journey," he said.