West Ipoh Span Expressway at final stages of negotiations, says MHA Chairman

BAGAN SERAI: The construction of the West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE) that will connect Gopeng and Kuala Kangsar along a 60km route is in the final stages of negotiation and is expected to be finalised in December at the latest, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (pic).

The Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) chairman said negotiations with the appointed concession holder covered various stages, including estimated total construction costs.

"We hope negotiations will go smoothly and construction will run according to plan,” he said during a media conference at Al-Mahmuddiah Mosque, here, on Saturday (Sept 16).

The Perak state government previously expressed that the construction of WISE could be expedited to avoid the frequent fatal accidents at Menora Tunnel and traffic congestion there.

WISE is expected to serve as an alternative route for the Menora Tunnel for motorists.

Meanwhile, Jalaluddin said that RM5.2 billion had been allocated for the construction of the entire West Coast Expressway that spans a distance of 233km from Rawang to Changkat Jering, and the remaining parts under construction were the 35.5 km Beruas to Changkat Jering section, which is expected to begin operation in January next year.

"What’s most important is that it will reduce traffic congestion,” he said, adding that the MHA was still studying the need to expand the WCE to any necessary area.- Bernama