Work on JB-Kuantan shortcut starting next year

A NEW road in the pipeline, which is a shortcut between the Air Merah and Siapu intersections in Mersing, is expected to reduce congestion and save time for those travelling from Johor Baru to the east coast.

Mersing district councillor Azhar Zainal Abidin (pic) said construction of the road was expected to start next year.

He said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced a RM130mil allocation from Federal Government fund under next year’s budget for the road project.

He hoped the development would start soon after the initial work such as land surveys and temporary bridge development.

“Usually, those travelling from Johor Baru to Kuantan in Pahang, have to go to Mersing town and this causes massive congestion especially during Hari Raya.

“So, with the new road, they need not enter the town anymore,” Azhar said when contacted.

He said locals especially tourism players looked forward to the upgrading of Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing via a RM120mil allocation.

“The road between Kota Tinggi and Mersing is bumpy and sometimes riddled with potholes. With this allocation, we hope to bring in more local and foreign tourists to Mersing.

“One of the reasons people avoid coming here is because of the bad road condition, so people would opt to go to Desaru instead, using the Senai-Desaru Expressway,” he added.

Azhar also said a RM1mil allocation to upgrade the R&R Tenggaroh in Mersing was a response to villagers’ request.

“It is an important rest stop for those travelling between Johor Baru and Mersing.

“Many of them often stop here to take a short break from their long drive before continuing with their journey,” he said.

On the RM1.8mil allocation to develop Pantai Air Papan, he said it was timely as the Mersing International Kite Festival was expected to take place next year.

“One of the main sources of income for the Mersing District Council is the tourism activities in Pantai Air Papan.

“Every ringgit spent at the beach contributes to the local council’s revenue.

“With the coming upgrades, we hope to provide better amenities and organise more events to generate income not only for locals in Kampung Air Papan, but also for the council,” he added.

Besides Pantai Air Papan, Azhar said Bukit Selantai nearby had also slowly garnered its own reputation among extreme sports enthusiasts.

“It has been an annual spot for mountain bike races. This year alone, it has managed to attract participants from Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand.

“We are proud to have a unique platform like this that has put Mersing on the extreme sports map in South-East Asia,” he said, hoping the programme would be recognised in the Johor tourism calendar of events.