Half of Selangor roads are due for upgrades, says exco rep

PETALING JAYA: Half of the roads in Selangor are due for an upgrade but works will be carried out in phases because of the high costs involved.

State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said many roads in Selangor were past their 'expiry date'.

"A stretch of road is only meant to be in service between 20 and 25 years.

"After that, they must be upgraded.

"However, due to a lack of budget, upgrading works will be taken in phases," he said at the state assembly sitting.

Izham was replying to Mu’izzuddeen Mahyuddin (PN-Hulu Bernam), who asked about plans to ensure speedy upgrades of damaged roads.

The state, he added, was in the midst of buying new technology to allow quick resurfacing of damaged roads.

"In the past, before resurfacing works could be undertaken, the layers of tar on the road must be removed first.

"With the new technology, resurfacing works can be carried out immediately, ensuring a speedy fix," he said.

Mohd Shafie Ngah (PN-Sungai Ramal), in a supplementary question, asked about plans to ensure utility companies resurfaced the roads after undertaking works there.

Izham said he had proposed that local authorities collect a collateral fee from such companies to ensure they resurface the roads properly.

"Resurfacing must be conducted in two stages. After the first resurfacing, a second layer must be applied a few days later to ensure a thorough job.

"If the utility companies fail to do so, the collateral fee can be used to undertake the necessary works," he said.

Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim (PH-Kota Damansara) proposed that the collateral be increased to ensure deterrence.

"Otherwise, some utility companies may leave the resurfacing works to the local authority," he added.

On a related matter, Izham said the state agencies were using the Integrated Road Assessment system to monitor the conditions of roads in Selangor.

"The system has been in use for about a year. It employs drones, among others, to identify damaged roads.

"It also collects information on social media on roads that need repairs," he said, adding that work would be carried out within 24 hours.