East-West Highway Safe, More Upgrades Coming - Works Minister

The East-West Highway (JRTB) is back in the spotlight after a tragic crash on June 9 took the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Early findings showed the bus was going twice the speed limit.

While the driver was clearly at fault, frequent users say the road’s design and conditions also play a big role.

Winding, narrow, and poorly lit, JRTB is no easy drive. Faded markings, limited signage, and even wild animals make it one of the toughest routes in the country.
“JRTB is physically safe to use. But its hilly terrain does make it tricky to drive,” The Works Ministry says in a Bernama report.

The 292km highway, part of Federal Route 4, cuts across Kedah, Perak, and Kelantan, linking Gerik to Jeli. It sees about 2,400 vehicles daily, nearly a third are heavy trucks.

Despite concerns, a 2024 inspection found the road structurally sound. The Works Ministry also pointed to statistics where only 13% of road accidents are caused by infrastructure, while over 80% are due to human error.
“Only 13% of road accidents are tied to infrastructure, and we’re doing our part,” the ministry said in a statement.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi recently told Bernama that from 2023 to May 2024, the Public Works Department (JKR) spent RM5.49 billion on maintaining over 15,000km of federal roads, including JRTB.

“This year, JRTB is getting RM55 million in upgrades. RM35 million for resurfacing, RM14.5 million for safety features like guardrails and drainage, RM3.59 million for solar lighting, and RM1 million for pavement checks in Perak,” Nanta says.
Since 2018, 16 high-risk spots have been fixed with low-cost improvements like better lighting and clearer signage. JKR has also deployed AI-powered patrol vehicles that use cameras to detect potholes and trigger faster repairs.

More upgrades are planned under the 13th Malaysia Plan, including overtaking lanes and curve improvements in the Gerik and Jeli stretches, the minister affirmed. 
“It’s not just on us. Obey the speed limit, use the right routes, and report any hazards. Everyone plays a part,” he added.

Source: Bernama.