TANGKAK: The proposed extension of the Banting-Gelang Patah West Coast Expressway (WCE) will not only help to disperse traffic but will also make way for new growth areas once it is completed, said Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the WCE extension, which connects Banting in Selangor to Gelang Patah in Johor, will provide road users with an alternative to the existing North-South Expressway (NSE).
“The NSE is quite congested at the moment, especially on weekends for road users travelling between Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur.
“The expressway cannot cater to such a large traffic volume, so the WCE will provide an alternative to disperse traffic,” Loke said after breaking ground for a multi-purpose building at Pei Hwa Chinese Independent School here yesterday.
The minister was asked to comment on the WCE project which, under the recently tabled Budget 2025, is slated to be prioritised next year through a private-public partnership (PPP) approach.
Loke added that the WCE project will also bring developments to other areas such as Batu Pahat and Muar, which are located slightly further away from NSE exits.
“With the WCE, the Klang Valley will be connected to Port Dickson, then to Melaka, Muar, Batu Pahat and other areas.
“This will make way for new growth areas and bring other benefits to the areas.
“Ports such as Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Gelang Patah will also benefit from it,” he said.
He also said that ports have been encouraged to utilise the nation’s rail services for port activities.
“We also want an integrated network where railways should be connected to the highways and I believe PTP has its own long-term plans for future developments in this regard.”
Asked when the project is expected to kick off, Loke said the announcement has just been made so it will take some time for it to begin.
“Since it will be implemented using a PPP concept, it will not incur any government funds. The cost will be borne by the private sector via a concession so naturally, toll will be imposed.
“Right now, the terms for the partnership will need to be discussed first through the Private Partnership Unit,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the groundbreaking ceremony earlier, Loke announced an allocation of RM50,000 to aid the school’s multi-purpose building construction project.
He commended Pei Hwa’s school board for working with individuals, non-governmental organisations, private companies and the surrounding community to raise the required funds for the RM15mil project.
The new building consisting of laboratories and sports facilities is set for completion in two years.
