KUALA KANGSAR: The state government will work with other agencies to find ways to improve the North-South Expressway, especially the Kuala Kangsar and Menora Tunnel stretch.
State public facilities, infrastructure, agriculture and agro-based committee chairman Abdul Yunus Jamhari said these included conducting research on a possible new route to ease congestion.
“There have been proposals before on the construction of a new route. There have been improvement as there are now floodlights. It is brighter than before,” he said at the Kuala Kangsar Hospital’s forensic unit, here, today.
“Besides that, we are also looking at other safety criteria that must be implemented.”
Asked about the status of the proposed Jelapang-Selama-Batu Kawan Expressway (Jelas), that could ease traffic in the Menora Tunnel stretch, Yunus said the project would be discussed with experts.
Proposed in 2010, Jelas involves the construction of a three-lane dual-carriageway road costing more than RM4 billion, which will provide access to towns that were by-passed by the NSE route such as Sungai Siput, Karai, Kati, Batu Kurau, Selama, Serdang and Lima Kongsi.
Yunus said the state government would also work with enforcement agencies to increase the frequency of patrols to ensure that road users did not exceed the speed limit.
He was responding to questions on the improvements and measures that would be taken to reduce traffic congestion and accidents near the Menora Tunnel following the death of five people, including a baby, on Saturday.
It was reported that five individuals, believed to be from four families were burnt to death after the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a trailer at KM255.3 of the North-South Expressway about 11.45am.
On behalf of the state government, Yunus offered his condolences to the families of victims.