KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Expressway Project Phase 2 (LPT2) is expected to be completed and opened to the public on Dec 31, the Dewan Negara heard yesterday.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the ministry was confident the expressway would be fully functional for traffic on the said date, barring unexpected incidents.
“As of Dec 1, the project is 99 per cent ready,” she said in reply to a question from senator Zaitun Mat Amin, who asked the ministry to report on the latest progress of the expressway, the reasons behind the delays and the date it would be fully opened to the public.
Rosnah said the stretch that was completed and accessible was 159km, or 86 per cent from the project’s total of 184km.
“This includes the stretch from Cheneh to Kijal, a 29km stretch that was opened to the public on Nov 21.”
Rosnah said the remaining stretch, which was in the final stages of completion, was the 25km stretch from Kijal to Paka.
“The delay was caused by soil movements under three bridges of the expressway,” she said.
The new highway was supposed to be completed on Aug 31.
Rosnah said the contractors were given an Extension Of Time of four months to strengthen the land structure and the bridges.
“At the moment, final works for that purpose are being done. It is expected to be completed by the end of the month.”