MELAKA: Six new entry points are set to be created as part of the construction of the West Coast Expressway (WCE), spanning 69km across Melaka, thereby changing the landscape of the transport flow into the state.
State Works, Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mtyheen Kunju Basheer said that the WCE, which straddles four states - from Banting, Selangor, through Negri Sembilan, and then entering Melaka before ending in Gelang Patah, Johor - will be launched at the end of 2026.
He added that the six additional toll booths will take the total number of entrances into Melaka to nine, with three main toll plazas via the PLUS Highway - namely Simpang Ampat, Ayer Keroh and Jasin.
"Roughly, the proposal for six tolls along the 69-km distance is illogical, with one toll every 11 or 12km. But it is the best alternative for dispersing traffic, which is getting increasingly more congested at the three existing entrances, especially at the Ayer Keroh toll plaza.
"So, all these toll plazas will be built across strategic areas to facilitate outsiders to enter Melaka, especially the heavy vehicles,” he told a press conference after the Third Sitting (Budget) of the Fourth Session of the 15th Melaka State Assembly here Tuesday (Dec 9).
He said that among the areas suggested for the toll plazas are Semabok in the Melaka Tengah district, as well as Gangsa and Masjid Tanah in the Alor Gajah district.
Elaborating, he said Melaka residents can still use the new ring road alignment without tolls.
"This project not only helps facilitate the journey of residents but also tourists, since the road network can be maximised without affecting traffic flow at existing residential areas,” he said.
He added that the development of the mega project is estimated to take about 10 years to be completed, depending on joint coordination between Negri Sembilan and Johor.
"We are at the final phase of the alignment, and the tabling will be made next week before getting the approval from the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
Meanwhile, he added that the new ring road alignment that will be built will encompass several main projects, including the connection of two districts - Alor Gajah to Melaka Tengah, namely Jalan Masjid Tanah to Sungai Udang.
"This route will be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes for a distance of nearly seven kilometres, costing RM300mil,” he said. - Bernama
