KUANTAN: A smooth sailing journey awaits motorists plying the highways of the east coast during the year-end holiday season.
The concessionaire for the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway (KLK) and East Coast Expressway 1 (ECE1), Anih Berhad, along with LPT2 Sdn Bhd, the operator of the East Coast Expressway 2 (ECE2) have teamed up to deploy 1,160 personnel to ensure the safety and comfort of travellers.
Both concessionaires, in a joint statement, said the highway personnel, including Ronda officers, highway maintenance units and traffic monitoring teams, will assist road users as they travel along the KLK, LPT1 and LPT2 towards Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
"The highways provide comfortable and convenient rest areas for pit stops such as Gombak, Lanchang, Maran and Kuantan lay-bys; and Genting Sempah, Temerloh and Gambang rest-and-relaxation (R&R) areas for the ECE1 stretch – while on the ECE2, motorists can stop at Ajil, Paka and Perasing.
"The R&Rs offer food outlets, surau, rest shelters (wakaf), petrol service stations, public restrooms and ample parking bays. Road users and customers are strictly advised to observe the standard operating procedures under the new normal to curb the spread of Covid-19," read the statement.
Road users are reminded to always ensure that they have sufficient balance in their Touch 'n Go cards and e-Wallets before entering the highway.
"For easier reload, motorists can top-up at the Touch 'n Go self-service kiosks (SSK) located at the Gombak lay-by (westbound), Genting Sempah and Temerloh R&Rs (westbound and eastbound) and Gambang Tol Plaza. An additional 16 SSKs are placed along the ECE2 and petrol stations, or at the R&Rs," it read.
Anih executive director Datuk Nik Fauzi Nik Hussein said motorists will be assured not only of time-saving travel, but also full-fledged support facilities along the 234km highway such as lay-bys, R&Rs, emergency assistance and a 24-hour patrol service on the dual-carriageway.
LPT 2 Sdn Bhd director Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said highway personnel will work closely with the Traffic Monitoring Centre to assist in traffic management and congestion mitigation at the rest and service areas, lay-bys and toll plazas along the 184km ECE2 during the holiday season.
"The monsoon season that hit the east coast often results in federal or coastal routes to be flooded. Therefore, we urge those who are affected by the monsoon season to utilise the ECE2 in case the federal or coastal routes are submerged or closed due to floods," he said.
For emergency assistance, road users are advised to contact the 24-hour LPT line at 1-700-818-700 for KLK and LPT1; and the LPT2 Helpline at 1800-88-0220.
