RM4m spent on highway's damaged fence
Category: Publication - NST
IRRESPONSIBLE parties are still damaging the fence along the East Coast Expressway 1 (ECE 1), forcing the highway concessionaire to spend about RM4 million to repair or replace it over the last four years.
The damaged fence gave livestock and wild animals access to the expressway, thus, endanger the lives of motorists.
Anih Berhad director Nik Fauzi Nik Hussein said the company had to fork out almost RM1 million annually to repair and replace the fencing.
"Some villagers cut the fence to create a short cut to the other side of the road. Their actions could risk the lives of highway users as animals may encroach into the highway," he said here yesterday.
Although the company managed to reduce the number of accidents involving stray cattle in the past few years, the number had increased again from 24 cases last year to 26 cases so far this year.
However, no fatal accidents were reported after a special task force was set up in 2010 to handle the issue.
Nik Fauzi said the company would erect signboards to warn motorists about stray animals and continue to engage villagers' help to stop the vandalism.
On the partial opening the ECE 2 between Jabor and Kuala Terengganu, Nik Fauzi said the company had already made preparations for the anticipated surge of traffic volume in the next few years.
"Most of the facilities at our rest and repair areas and lay-bys have been upgraded while a new variable messaging system will be installed by year end."
--- Back to News Listing ---