Bernama has reported that road users have welcomed the upgrading of the Pasir Gudang Highway (FT17), stating the state government project has improved safety and comfort along the route, particularly through the installation of LED streetlights and road widening works.
Bernama said its survey found that infrastructure improvements along the main route linking the industrial hub of Pasir Gudang have also boosted the confidence of motorists, who had previously faced poor lighting and uneven road surfaces.
Nur Izzati Mohd Nor, a 28-year-old employee in the private sector, said the installation of LED street lights had greatly increased visibility, particularly at night.
“When the surroundings are well lit and the road is wider, we no longer have to worry about potholes or foreign objects because everything is clearly visible. Driving late at night now feels much calmer and safer,” she said.
According to the daily commuter, the highway’s condition has significantly improved.
The Pasir Gudang Highway is now far safer than it was, particularly for motorcyclists, according to 62-year-old retiree S. Rathakrishnan.
“Previously, travelling along this highway was dangerous. The poor lighting and potholes posed a safety risk, especially when it rains. But now the infrastructure has improved tremendously.
“The state government’s efforts to maintain the street lights, resurface the road and widen the highway are meaningful for the people who depend on this route every day,” he said.
Tan Wei Lun, 38, another user of the road, stated that the upgrade had improved the Pasir Gudang Highway’s reputation and helped drivers.
“The steady progress we see is proof that state resources are being returned to the rakyat. The fact that the Pasir Gudang Highway has shed its reputation as the second-worst road in Malaysia is a significant achievement that speaks for itself,” he said.
The Pasir Gudang Highway, which was previously listed as Malaysia’s second-worst road, is no longer among the top ten due to ongoing improvements, according to earlier media reports.
Mohd Khalid Ab Rozaid, 45, a trailer lorry driver, suggested that road surface maintenance and tree pruning along the route be done on a regular basis to ensure road user safety.
According to the project’s progress report, work to expand the Pasir Gudang Highway from four to six lanes is 83% complete.
On 14th May, Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that a 6.4-kilometer stretch from the Bandar Seri Alam/Taman Rinting Interchange to Pasir Gudang had been opened to motorists, with the remaining 3.6-kilometer main carriageway set to open in August.
The Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) will also install 1,308 smart LED street lights along a 23.5-kilometre stretch from the Perling Interchange to Bandar Seri Alam/Taman Rinting.
The Public Works Department (JKR) is installing another 386 units along the stretch from Bandar Seri Alam/Taman Rinting to Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad (MMHE), with finishing work and other infrastructure adjustments expected to be completed by November 2026.
The integrated modernisation initiative not only reduces the risk of accidents, but also demonstrates the Johor state government’s commitment to prioritising people’s well-being in accordance with the Maju Johor 2030 development agenda.
