The West Coast Expressway (WCE) project site near Changkat Jering PLUS Toll Plaza. — Bernama
SECTION 11 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) from Beruas to Taiping (South) in Perak is expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of this year, at the latest in April, says the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).
LLM deputy director-general (Development) Dr Nadzrol Fadzilah Ahmad said efforts were being made to commission the section before Chinese New Year, but she was confident that it could be operational before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“The aim is to help people avoid congestion. However, safety is our top priority,” she said at a press conference in Taiping.
Earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad along with state executive councillors had taken a tour to inspect construction of the WCE project.
Nadzrol said the expressway would be opened for free use for a certain period.
Meanwhile, West Coast Expressway Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Lyndon Alfred Felix said construction progress had reached 98% by Dec 31, 2023, as reported by Bernama.
“We are now entering the inspection, supervision and certification phase by LLM.
“We have to go through these phases before this section can be opened to all road users,” he added.
Saarani said the WCE project was crucial as it was a strategic route to expand the transport network, not only between cities and districts, but also to connect Perak to economic growth centres – starting with Port Klang, Lumut Port and Penang Port.
“This route is also important because it is a catalyst for Perak’s plan to drive socio-economic growth along the west coast and transform the state’s tourism landscape by facilitating access to strategic destinations in line with Visit Perak Year 2024.
“When it opens later, motorists will have alternative routes to the existing roads heading to areas on the west coast of Perak such as Teluk Intan, Manjung, Pulau Pangkor, Beruas, Trong, Changkat Jering and Taiping,” he added.
The project connects Taiping and Banting in Selangor, spanning a total distance of 233km.
It is being undertaken by West Coast Expressway in a privatisation initiative
To date, five of the total 11 sections of WCE routes have been opened to traffic, namely Section 5 (Klang-Kapar) and Section 6 (Kapar-Assam Java) in Selangor, and Section 8 (Hutan Melintang-Teluk Intan), Section 9 (Kampung Lekir-Changkat Cermin) and Section 10 (Changkat Cermin-Beruas) in Perak.
Section 11 (Beruas-South Taiping) spanning 35.5km will complete the WCE section in Perak.
