The government says it has no intention of upgrading the Federal Highway, the country’s busiest highway, in the near future to address the traffic congestion issue.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the focus will be placed on encouraging commuters to utilise public transportation like rail services as an alternative to driving along the same route.
Replying to an MP during Parliament, the Minister said there will be no upgrading works while construction of infrastructure had already been done between 2018 and 2023.
According to Nanta, the only works being done to the 36.09km highway — which connects the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Selangor, and runs through several major cities and towns — are for maintenance purposes only.
From 2018 to 2022, the Works Ministry allocated RM24.69 million for scheduled pavement and non-pavement maintenance, alongside maintenance on other infrastructure like bridges and traffic and street lights.
For this year, he said RM2.59 million was allocated until October for various maintenance works.
“As for 2024, the concession company appointed to maintain Federal roads will identify damaged roads along the Federal Highway before the Public Works Department (JKR) provides the estimated funds required for the repair works.
