IPOH: The proposed construction of an alternative expressway from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar to bypass the Menora Tunnel can only materialise once the environmental, traffic and social impact studies are ready.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the project, involving a 64km stretch, had received the green light from the cabinet.
"The cabinet has, in principle, agreed with the proposal to construct the Gopeng-Kuala Kangsar expressway to avoid congestion at the Menora Tunnel.
"Once approved, the company needs to adhere to the precedent conditions set by the LLM (Malaysian Highway Authority) and the government.
"One of the conditions is an environmental study. The company also needs to conduct a social impact and traffic study to ensure this project is viable," he said at a press conference after opening the Public Works Department's Senior Officers Conference at the Casuarina Hotel @ Meru, here, today.
He added that the conditions set were crucial to ensure the project could be implemented.
"Whether this project can be implemented or not, it will only be finalised when all the studies are completed and presented. But right now we are still waiting," he said.
On May 16, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state government supported the private sector project involving a route through the Gopeng exit to Siputeh linked to Kuala Kangsar which had also received the nod from the cabinet.
Saarani had said the project would reduce accidents at the current hotspot as the proposed route was flat without hills and could ease traffic congestion.
On the completion of the West Coast Expressway (WCE), Fadillah said land acquisition issues and change of alignment were among the reasons for the delay in construction.
For instance, a portion near Tanjung Karang in Selangor was facing issues with land acquisition.
"Land acquisition comes under the jurisdiction of the state. So, when such issues are not resolved, the project needs to be halted temporarily," he said.
For the Tanjung Karang section, Fadillah estimated that the construction would be completed in three years.