GERIK: The Works Ministry needs an allocation of RM3.4bil to repair federal roads throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

       Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said this included repairing damages, resurfacing, adding extra layers and building new roads, all by next year.

       "We are aware that many priorities have to be considered before the allocation is given, which in some cases is insufficient like the RM68mil to repair the federal road, FT004 (the East-West Highway).

       "We are not blaming the Finance Ministry but that is the challenge we are facing. However, we will find ways to improve the situation in the short and long term.

       "My ministry has identified roads throughout Peninsular Malaysia that need to be repaired after five or seven years as the original surface could no longer cope with the traffic volume.

       "Imagine the condition of the roads if these were built 40 years ago like in Gerik,” he told a press conference here on Monday (June 20) after a briefing on FT004, with Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad also present.

       Fadillah said that usually, among the preliminary or short-term measures taken by his ministry would be to resurface the road before building another layer or a new road at damaged stretches.

       On his one-hour visit to the location here with Saarani, he said the patching and resurfacing work at the damaged stretch would be done this Saturday (June 25).

       The Perak stretch of FT004 runs 114.66km from Section 83.74 at the Kedah border to Section 198.40 in Jeli at the Kelantan border.

       The stretch has been affected by damage to the road surface and streetlights, while the painted lines are fading and drains have also been damaged, resulting in stagnant water pooling at various places. – Bernama