ANSWER TODAY ON WCE’S RAYA TARGET?
Concessionaire, Malaysian Highway Authority meet today after completion of compliance tests
THE question of whether the West Coast Expressway (WCE) would open in time for Hari Raya Aidilfitri could be answered today, following a meeting between highway concessionaire WCE
Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA).
The meeting, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, follows a round of compliance tests on the expressway’s structures yesterday.
WCE Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Neoh Soon Hiong said the compliance tests were conducted yesterday morning and completed by 2pm.
“We will have a meeting tomorrow morning (today). There could be no announcement after that. We will need to report everything (concerning the inspections) to our superiors first,” he told the New Straits Times.
On May 9, Neoh had said the decision to open three of WCE’s packages in Perak before Hari Raya would be announced by May 20. He also said there was some work pending and the authorities were rushing to get it done before the festive season.
He had said that after compliance tests were completed, it would take at least another week before WCE could be opened.
Meanwhile, the Perak Menteri Besar’s Office said it would issue a statement should the discussion between WCE and MHA result in a final decision.
“The WCE management will have a discussion with MHA in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (today) to determine whether there are certain packages that will be opened in conjunction with Hari Raya. Should there be any decision, a press statement will be released,” the statement read.
MHA confirmed that it would hold discussions with the WCE concessionaire today on its next course of action before opening the new expressway.
MHA director-general Datuk Aziz Abdullah said they were working closely with the concessionaire to complete some packages for opening before Hari Raya.
“Hopefully, after our discussion and after consultations with the works minister, we will make an announcement,” he told the New Straits Times.
Aziz denied rumours that MHA was against WCE being opened in packages, adding that MHA only wanted to ensure the safety of road users.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and compliance of specifications. There is no point in opening a highway that is unsafe and that does not comply with requirements.”
Neoh commented on the collapse of a 110m-long stretch of the highway in Klang, which occurred following the bursting of some main pipes.
He said the company needed to rebuild the stretch to ensure that it was safe for motorists.
“We need to clear the top part, as recommended by our consultant. The burst pipe has been settled, but we need to reconstruct the 110m stretch so that it will be safer for people who will use the road.
“This was not our mistake, but things happen. The consultant will decide on the methodology and design of the structural repairs soon.”
The collapse caused water disruption in 65 areas in Klang due to three damaged main pipes.