In the works: Mohd Solihan showing the various roads being constructed or upgraded statewide. — THOMAS YONG/The Star JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes its request to upgrade an 80km stretch of the North-South Expressway is given the nod soon, due to the increasing volume of vehicles on the highway. Johor Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said they were proposing the stretch between Yong Peng and Senai Utara be widened from two lanes to three. He said the main reason for the proposed expansion was the congestions during weekends, public holidays and festive seasons. “The highway operator PLUS Bhd has done its study and this is a stretch with a huge volume of vehicles daily. The proposed project will cost about RM2.7bil.