Perak JKR needs to provide better maintenance of the West Coast Expressway

 

IT is certainly good news that the stalemate concerning the Kampung Jawa section of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) has been resolved and that construction works to link the section are going at fast pace to see the completion of the interstate highway which stretches from Taiping to Banting.

The highway will open up large areas along the highway for development as well as also disperse traffic especially during festive periods and long holiday weekends.

The WCE is unique due to the highway spur system which allow some towns and villages along the rural stretch that are maintained by the Public Works Department (JKR) to be linked to the highway without the usual costly overhead interchanges. The 233km highway is scheduled to be completed in 2027.

The completed sections of the WCE are maintained well and better management can be expected once the entire stretch is completed. However, having travelled on this highway multiple times I have a major complaint to make concerning the JKR maintained sections, one of which is between Lekir and Teluk Intan.

The 30-kilometre stretch is poorly maintained and the main complaints are about the tall grass and creepers on the road reserve not be trimmed regularly. The roadside resemble a mini jungle. Kerb-side drains are blocked and the larger drains along the road are covered with undergrowth.

Bus shelters for passengers are not kept in good condition and overhead pedestrian bridges are uninviting for the nearby village folk to use them as they are overgrown with creepers and dirty.

People have started dumping trash along the road reserve and one cannot blame them when the Perak JKR authorities show no concern to keep the reserve clean.

Many streetlights are faulty and traffic lights need proper timely adjustments to prevent long traffic jams.The entire stretch is badly maintained and is an eyesore and one is shocked at the total indifference of the Perak state JKR.

The situation is also the same on the even longer 50-kilometre Hutan Melintang-Tanjung Karang stretch also maintained by the Perak JKR. Since these stretches form essential links to the WCE, they need to be maintained to a higher standard befitting a highway.

Although these two stretches are not tolled, this is not a justifiable reason for the poor upkeep. The WCE administration needs to check on these sections regularly, and not just leave it to the Perak JKR to ensure that it is maintained well and safe befitting a highway.

More petrol stations and R&Rs needs to be built for the convenience of the increasing number of highway users. 

V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.