WORK Minister Datuk S. Samy Vellu said there will be a spillover effect when the RM 489.5 million Trans-Eastern  Kedah Interland Trans-Eastern Highway is completed in two years.State ?owned Bina Darulaman Bhd (BDB) is the main contractor for the 116 km toll-free highway job, which will connect Durian Burung to Baling.

"When the highways is completed, we expect new infrastructure, housing and industrial development in the are," Samy Vellu toll Business Times at the launch of Stevens TPO roofing membrane system in Kuala Lumpur last  Thursday.

The highway will also spur socioeconomic growth and promote tourism in Baling, Padang Terap dan Sik.

Samy Vellu said the building of the highway is progressing well and the ministry will give more time to the contractor to finish the job.

Work on the highway started in August 2005, but had been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Konsortium BDB Kery Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture firm between BDB and  Pembinaan Kerry Sdn Bhd, is one of two contractors building a stretch of the highway.

Meanwhile, Samy Vellu said motorcyclist caught using the Federal   Highway would be charged   indefinitely .

The ministry has asked the Public Works Department (PWS) to clean and patch up the motorcycle  lanes  along  the highway stretching from Pantai Dalam Kuala Lumpur, to Subang Jaya with immediate affect.

Some parts of the motorcycle lanes have poor lighting, flooded tunnels, potholes and rubbish strewn all over, which makes it difficult for motorcyclist to control their bikes.

"The work is ongoing now. It important that the motorcycle  lanes  are of superior standard. Once this is done, we will put up notices to inform motorcyclists that if they continue to use the highway, they will be charged," added Samy Vellu.

He said the ministry will also ask the PWD to build shelters along the highways so that motorcyclists would stop using bridges as shelter when it rains