SEGAMAT, Nov 15 — The second phase of the new Segamat-Muar road involving a distance of 22 kilometres from Segamat town to Jementah and costing RM330 million to build is 98 per cent completed and open to traffic.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the road construction began in 2011 and the upgraded road from two lanes to four was now fully open to road users.

“Another phase of the road project will begin next year while three more phases are expected to be ready in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) period,” he told reporters after visiting the road project site, here, today.

Also present were state Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat, who is also Kemelah assemblyman, and Sekijang member of Parliament, Anuar Abd Manap.

Fadillah said for the three phases up to Muar, the ministry would be asking for an additional allocation from the federal government through the 11MP.

The total distance of the Segamat-Muar road is 64 km and costing almost RM1 billion to build.

Fadillah said the two phases that were almost completed were originally to overcome the problem of frequent flooding in the area to the extent of the route being cut off.

“That is why today I will meet with the local leaders to discuss the flood problem and how the impact can be lessened with the completion of the road project,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fadillah welcomed the setting up of Rakan KKR in the Segamat district who will be the “ears and eyes” for the ministry in improving its services to the people.

He hoped the 30 individuals who received the Segamat Rakan KKR certificate would channel information such as on potholes to the ministry to facilitate service delivery. — Bernama