New path: (From left) Felix, Works Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Datuk Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir, Nanta Linggi, Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia director Datuk Ir. Sazali Harun and IJM Corporation Berhad director Datuk Lee Chun Fai walking together during the opening ceremony of the latest stretch of the WCE at a toll plaza in Klang, Selangor. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LANGAT: The newest stretch of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) that opened at midnight is expected to cut down on traffic congestion to the north of the peninsula, said highway authorities.
The WCE’s latest stretch connects the highway to the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
“The new 7.2km stretch will provide an alternative route from Banting to Shah Alam, Klang, Putrajaya, Kajang and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA),” Nanta Linggi said when launching the latest stretch here yesterday.
To allow motorists to get familiar with it, the highway’s operator – West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd – said travel between the SKVE and Kesas interchanges will be toll free from today until Feb 21.
West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd managing director Lyndon Alfred Felix said the new connection will give motorists travelling from Kajang and Semenyih in the southern part of the Klang Valley an alternative route to Perak and other northern states.
It is expected to cut down current congestion on the Elite Expressway and the North-South Expressway (NSE), especially around Shah Alam and Damansara, he added.
Felix said the main aim of the WCE is to alleviate congestion along the NSE.
He said it would also cut travel time between Banting and Port Klang via Kesas by 30 minutes and take more heavy vehicles off the road.
“Heavy vehicles are starting to use the WCE and relieve pressure on other highways,” Felix said.
He added, for instance, there are two heavy vehicles for every 10 on the stretch between Banting and Port Klang via Kesas.
“On most highways, the ratio is one heavy vehicle for every 10, or 10% of all vehicles. For the entire stretch of the WCE, it is between 13% and 14%.”
The new stretch is also expected to boost average daily traffic for the entire WCE to 150,000 vehicles, he added.
Beyond easing congestion on the NSE and other roads in the Klang Valley, Nanta Linggi said the WCE will spur growth in parts of southern Selangor.
“The new stretch is expected to increase investment in industrial zones such as Pulau Indah, Telok Panglima Garang and Bandar Botanik.
“It will also provide another strategic route to Port Klang for cargo containers.
“It will complement Port Klang as South-East Asia’s largest logistics hub with access that is fast and easy.
“This route is expected to help reduce the cost of operations of the logistics sector and make Malaysia more competitive,” he said.
