KUALA LUMPUR: Around 63.35% of the nearly 300km of the Central Spine Road (LTU) connecting the East Coast Expressway (LPT) junction in Bentong, Pahang, to Kuala Krai, Kelantan, has been completed.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic) said as of July 10, there was a delay of 0.39% from the scheduled 63.74%, taking into account the approved extension of time (EOT).

“The LTU project, implemented in phases since 2008, is subject to central agency approval. Eleven projects have been completed, 14 are under construction and one is in the procurement process,” he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Negara yesterday, in response to a question from Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz regarding the status of the project and measures to reduce the delay.

Nanta said Package One from Kuala Krai to the Sungai Lakit Bridge is 11.59% complete; Package Two from the Sungai Lakit Bridge to Gua Musang is 22.40% complete.

Package Three from Gua Musang to Kampung Relong is 84.25% complete; Package Four from Kampung Relong to Raub is 63.69% complete. Users can now access Package Five from Raub to Bentong, and Package Six from Bentong to the LPT Junction is 30.07% complete.

“Each issue, including land acquisition, utility relocation, traffic management, labour shortages, unpredictable weather and rising material costs, will be addressed effectively following best construction practices and current regulations,” said Nanta.

He also said that the Works Ministry plans to upgrade the East-West Corridor from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, to Gerik, Perak, and from Simpang Pulai, Aring, to Kenyir, Terengganu, under the 2030 Highway Network Development Plan, Bernama reported.Planned upgrades include the FT004 route from Kupang, Kedah, to Tanah Merah, Kelantan (204km), another FT004 stretch from Pasir Puteh to Machang-Jeli (46.3km), FT185 from Simpang Pulai, Aring, to Gua Musang (94km) and the FT1744/FT185 segment from Chiku, Kelantan, to Basung, Terengganu (39km).

Nanta also noted that the Third Rolling Plan (RP3) and Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) for these projects have been approved.

RP3 covers upgrading the route from Kampung Pak Badol to Kampung Banir Belikong in Pasir Puteh, as well as replacing two bridges in Jeli. In Gerik, Perak, RP4 entails upgrading the East-West Highway from Section 113 to Section 151.

“Additionally, projects under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council include the FT482 Pasir Puteh-Tok Bali route, involving land acquisition under RMK12,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/26/nanta-6335-of-nearly-300km-of-ltu-complete