KUALA LUMPUR: The contractors for the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) project have vowed to fix surface problems along a section of the highway by the end of February.
Titiwangsa member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the target date was given by the contractor of the SPE highway project following a meeting held after receiving numerous complaints about the road surfaces.
"I've received numerous complaints regarding the deteriorating and congested roads around the SPE highway construction project (previously known as Duke 3), which has affected the roads from Kg. Pandan roundabout to Kg. Pandan Road, SMK Aminuddin Baki, Desa Pandan, and Wickham Raintree KL Road.
"Therefore, I held a meeting with the top management of the contractor responsible for constructing the SPE highway project.
"As a result of the meeting, they have committed to setting a 'target completion' by the end of Feb for the contractor to repair, smoothen, and resolve the road issues affecting the areas," he said.
In his posting on X, Johari, who is also the plantations and commodities minister, shared the contractors 'target completion' dates as well as the progress of the works.
In terms of drainage, the project has seen a 95 per cent completion with a target of Jan 9, kerbs are at 70 per cent with expected completion by Jan 20 and premix at 50 per cent with Jan 30 set as the target for completion.
For road markings, its progress is currently 20 per cent with Feb 7 set as the date of completion whereas walkways which are at 15 per cent will be expected to be completed by Feb 23.
The SPE highway, which was formerly known as Duke Phase 3 is a dual-two-carriageway spanning 29.8 kilometre that traverses north to south Kuala Lumpur and is expected to reduce congestion by 30 per cent, especially during peak hours for motorists travelling in and out of the city centre.
The highway connects Taman Melati and Klang Gates from Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2)to Kerinchi Link near Pantai and Universiti Malaya.
Construction of the SPE began in 2016 and is operated by Ekovest Bhd, which signed a concession agreement with the government for the highway worth RM3.738 billion for 53 years and six months.