{
  "id": 19639764,
  "title": "New 11.7km Central Spine Road stretch opens, easing Pahang-Kelantan travel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/new-11-7km-central-spine-road-stretch-opens-easing-pahang-kelantan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T10:31:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1576282/new-117km-central-spine-road-stretch-opens-easing-pahang-kelantan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lipis residents and commuters now benefit from a 11.7km extension to the Central Spine Road, easing travel between Pahang and Kelantan. The new stretch, officially inaugurated today, was jointly hosted by Pahang's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. The 11.7km section comprises three main routes, including the 6.95 km LTU Section 3J, which links Kampung Seberang Jelai to Kampung Relong. Built at a cost of RM339.7 million, the stretch meets JKR R5 four-lane, dual-carriageway standards.\n\nAdditional routes opened include the 3.55 km Kechau Link Road and the 1.2 km Link Road 4A. The project also involved constructing five bridges, two vehicular box culverts, installing street lighting, and relocating utilities for improved user safety and comfort. The Central Spine Road, a 299.4 km toll-free highway connecting Kelantan to Pahang, is set to enhance connectivity along the main Kelantan-Pahang corridor. The Pahang alignment spans 169.1 km and has been progressively developed since 2013, with 13 sections completed and opened to the public. Two sections, Section 4B and Section Sertik to LPT Interchange, remain under construction. The completion of Section 3J comes after the opening of Section 5A in 2024 and aims to alleviate congestion, reduce travel time and fuel costs, and stimulate local economic activity.",
  "summary": "LIPIS: Motorists travelling between Pahang and Kelantan, as well as residents here, now enjoy faster and more comfortable connectivity following the official opening of a new 11.7km stretch of the Central Spine Road (LTU) project today.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}