JOHOR BARU: The Federal Government has approved RM117mil to further widen the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE) from two lanes to four lanes to ease congestion, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Works Minister said the allocation, approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), would cover a 4km stretch from Cahaya Baru to the Sungai Johor bridge.
“This is a continuation of the ongoing first phase of the SDE expansion.
“Preliminary works for the second phase are being handled by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), which will determine the project’s start date,” he said after opening the newly completed RM70mil ramp to Bestari Perdana and its toll plaza along the SDE on Thursday (Jan 22).
The first phase of the project, which covers a 9.34km stretch from the Sungai Johor bridge to Sungai Semenchu, has been ongoing since November 2024.
It is expected to be completed by April next year.
During the event, Nanta also announced free toll usage for Bestari Perdana users from now until the end of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.
He said LLM is currently working on a suitable toll fare mechanism, which will be implemented after the festive season.
He added that the connecting ramps form a newly completed 5.1km Pasir Gudang connector, which links the SDE mainline directly to Jalan Kong Kong and Tanjung Langsat – two of Johor’s most active industrial and maritime hubs.
