BENTONG: The Central Spine Road (CSR) stretch between Bentong and Lebu is set to be opened to motorists starting tomorrow.
The 28.5km stretch is part of Section 5(Kampung Asap - Kampung Sertik known as 5C and Bentong bypass known as 5D) of the toll-free four-lane dual-carriageway project.
Once opened, road users travelling from Kuala Lumpur or Kuantan towards Raub, Lipis and Kelantan will no longer need to travel into Bentong town.
Motorists plying along the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway (east coast-bound) can enter the CSR near the Bentong Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) before exiting at Lebu to resume their journey along the existing single-carriageway Jalan Bentong-Raub.
Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail are scheduled to open the stretch at the Mempaga Interchange tomorrow morning.
Wan Rosdy, who inspected the stretch at Mempaga last week, said both the 5C and 5D sub-packages were part of the 350km CSR stretch between Kuala Krai, Kelantan and Bentong.
"As mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan, the RM8.7 billion project is scheduled to be fully completed in 2025.
"Once completed, the CSR will reduce travel time and provide comfort to road users. It will help improve the socio-economic status of the people by providing quality infrastructure at the areas involved (located near the stretch)," he wrote on his Facebook page.
CSR, which deploys the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) method, comprises six phases: from Kuala Krai to Jambatan Sungai Lakit, Kelantan (47km); Jambatan Sungai Lakit to Gua Musang, Kelantan (60km); Gua Musang to Kampung Relong, Pahang (94km); Kampung Relong to Raub, Pahang (45km); Raub to Bentong (54km); and Bentong to Simpang Pelangai (47km).