Infrastructure boost: Nanta (fourth from right) listening to a briefing at the opening of the toll plaza to Bestari Perdana in Pasir Gudang. Also present is Deputy Works Minister Ahmad Maslan (third from right), Onn Hafiz (fourth from left) and Mah Sing founder and group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum (second from left). — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: An allocation of RM117mil has been approved by the Federal Government to further widen the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE) from two lanes to four, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Works Minister said the allocation, under the 13th Malaysia Plan, covers a 4km stretch from Cahaya Baru to the Sungai Johor bridge.
“Preliminary works for the project are being handled by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), which will determine the project’s starting date.
“This is a continuation of the ongoing first phase of the SDE expansion plan,” he said after opening the RM70mil ramp and toll plaza to Bestari Perdana in Pasir Gudang along SDE yesterday.
Nanta added that the ongoing first phase involves upgrading the highway from two lanes to four lanes between KM49.3 (at Sungai Johor bridge) and KM58.7 (at Sungai Semenchu).
“As of Jan 15, the project has achieved an actual physical progress of 53.19%, which is ahead of schedule.
“The RM128.5mil project reflects good project management and coordination among all parties involved, and is on track for full completion by April next year,” he said, adding that the project broke ground in November 2024.
According to Nanta, the expansion is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and improve safety and comfort for SDE users, particularly along a strategic route connecting industrial areas, ports and tourism destinations in Johor.
He added that his ministry will continue to monitor the project to ensure it is completed with the best quality for all road users.
During the event, the minister also announced toll-free travel for the Bestari Perdana toll plaza from now until Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Usually, when such infrastructure is completed, users are able to enjoy free usage for one month, but we are allowing it for about two months based on the Johor Mentri Besar’s request,” he said.
The 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.
Earlier, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the new infrastructure will significantly enhance connectivity and travel efficiency in the eastern corridor of the state.
“Previously, road users had to travel up to 7km just to make a U-turn.
“With this new infrastructure, travel time will be reduced from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes, benefiting about 15,000 residents in the area,” he said.
