Works Minister Fadillah Yusof told FMT the work on expanding and improving the motorcycle lanes would take 12 to 16 months to complete.
The government had announced an allocation of RM29 million in Budget 2017 for the improvement of the motorcycle lanes.

Fadillah said the ministry is planning to widen the motorcycle lanes to about 3m and wherever possible up to 3.5m.

He said the highway and motorcycle lanes were built in the 1970s.

“The ministry is aware the motorcycle lanes need to be expanded to accommodate the current high volume of motorcyclists.

“The expansion will be carried out under the PWD’s jurisdiction.”

Fadillah said alternative lanes will be provided during the expansion work.

“During the expansion, motorcyclists will be diverted onto the main carriageway of the Federal Highway.”

Fadillah also said there were plans for more shaded areas for motorcyclists to wait in case of rain.

“Currently, a popular shed for the motorcyclists is under the bridge interchange near AmCorp Mall.”

On the flooding along the motorcycle lanes, Fadillah said the ministry has been collaborating with various agencies to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

“It has been observed that flash floods sometimes occur at the tunnel near Jalan 222 during very heavy rainfall. This is despite the PWD installing several water pumps there.”

The flash floods are partly due to the high water level in a nearby river which induces a backflow into the road’s drainage system, he said.

As a long-term solution, the PWD is planning to build motorcycle ramps above the flooded tunnels, one across Jalan 222 and another one across the tunnel near the Nanyang Siang Pau office.

Fadillah said a detailed survey is being carried out and a final decision will soon be taken.

He said to ensure the motorcycle lanes were always in good condition, any complaints such as potholes will be attended to within 24 hours, in line with the “zero pothole” policy of the ministry.

The last major resurfacing work was carried out in 2014 at a cost of RM380,000.
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“From time to time, PWD will carry out resurfacing work, repaint road lines and chevron markings and repair lightings inside tunnels.

“PWD has spent about RM6.4 million for maintenance of the motorcycle lanes since 2011.

“The ministry has also recently conducted a road safety audit on the motorcycle lanes.”