KUALA LUMPUR-The Works Ministry will review highway concessions which may result in lower toll rates.

Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said he would call for a detailed study to be carried out before reviewing the concession agreements.

Some of the important factors to be considered, he said

"We will compare the toll collections, and maintenance and operational costs, as well as 'heavy' maintenance costs," he told reported at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Heavy maintenance, he said referred to scheduled maintenance to resurface the entire highway while normal maintenance involved patching up potholes.

Mohd Zin said there was a toll review mechanism clause in the concession agreement which prevented concessionaires from raising toll rates as they pleased.

"If the traffic volume hits a certain level, then the toll increase can be averted," he said.

He said the study would be completed within three months.