KUANTAN: The Pahang government hopes that the construction of the two Rest and Recreation (R&R) stops planned along the toll-free Central Spine Road (CSR) will resume as planned despite a twofold increase from the original cost.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the Works and Economy Ministry must give serious consideration to ensure the construction works which are part of the CSR project scope are carried out.
"The state government is upset after one of the main project components which is the R&R is not being carried out despite it being part of the project scope. Only the platform and infrastructures were provided.
"We (state government) had previously requested for the construction of the R&R to provide comfort to road users and ensure they can get the necessary rest while using the road.
"Although the construction cost has seen a twofold increase from the original cost, the state government hopes the Works and Economy Ministry will consider to continue the construction works," he said in a statement today.
However, Wan Rosdy did not provide any details if the government had called off the construction of the R&R which was initially proposed between Bentong and Raub of the CSR, and near Kampung Kechau Tui in Lipis.
On Apr 11, Wan Rosdy said the four-lane dual-carriageway CSR stretch between Bentong and Kampung Relong, Lipis will soon have access to R&R stops.
Early this year, when opening the Raub bypass along the CSR, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Pahang government had submitted a proposal to build rest stops.
The 299km CSR, which has no rest stops or petrol stations, made headlines in April when images of garbage discarded along the highway, including plastic bottles, polystyrene containers, and aluminium drink cans, went viral.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the Pahang government also wants the approval to expand Section 6 of the CSR project between Karak and Simpang Pelangai to complete the highway network.
Nanta was previously reported saying Section 6 will be included in the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan(12MP).
The CSR, which deploys the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) method, comprises six phases: from Kuala Krai to Jambatan Sungai Lakit, Kelantan; Jambatan Sungai Lakit to Gua Musang, Kelantan; Gua Musang to Kampung Relong, Pahang; Kampung Relong to Raub, Pahang; Raub to Bentong; and Bentong to East Coast Expressway junction.