Motorists happy with upgraded Tangkak-Segamat road

SEGAMAT: People here have given the thumbs up to the upgraded Tangkak-Segamat road.

A resident, Ahmad Abdul Rahman, 80, said travelling was smoother now as the road was wider.

“I expect that more developments will take place in the surrounding areas,” said Ahmad, who lives in Jementah.

He said Jementah, which used to be known as a cowboy town, changed for the better when traffic improved and more motorists visited the town.

“Although the development is not big, there is a better future for the area.”

He said Jementah was a quiet area in the 1960s, with many shops closing as early as 7pm.

“It is different now with a fourlane road.”

He said he was grateful to the Public Works Department for the upgrading work, which had shortened the trip from his home to here.

The upgrade of the 63.6km road cost RM700 million and involved the replacement of 14 bridges and improvement to another five for motorists’ safety.

The project will improve the flow of traffic as 30,000 motorists ply the route daily.

A resident from Kampung Paya Dalam, Gemereh, Baharuddin Karim, 63, said the road upgrading in the Muar-Segamat stretch had resulted in positive changes to Jementah and Segamat.

He said during the wet season, the old route was prone to flooding and became impassable to traffic in some stretches.

“After the upgrading work, the road is no longer submerged during heavy rain.”

Baharudin said the livelihood of the people had improved as many people visited the area to shop and eat in restaurants along the road.

Lorry driver Mohamad Hafizi Abdul Ghani, 26, said the Tangkak-Segamat road used to be narrow for heavy vehicles.

“It was not a smooth drive for heavy vehicles as they tried to avoid colliding with other vehicles.

“Many accidents happened along the stretch,” he claimed.