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Another segment of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) is now ready for use. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi officially launched Section 1 of the WCE, which connects the Banting interchange to the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) interchange, today.
The launch, held at the Banting toll plaza, revealed that the new section will open to traffic at midnight tonight. For the next month, until September 29, drivers can use this road toll-free. However, it’s important to note that this free toll applies only to the WCE; toll charges will still apply for those entering via the SKVE, as shown in the graphics below.
Section 1 extends 12.5 kilometers and marks the southernmost portion of the highway, linking Banting in Selangor to Taiping in Perak along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The upcoming Section 2 is anticipated to begin operations by the end of this year, which will help motorists save up to 30 minutes when traveling from Banting to the Kesas Highway compared to current routes.
Following the launch, we drove to the only toll booth in Section 1 from Federal Route 5 and exited onto the SKVE. Currently, there aren’t many facilities available, just a small rest area with toilets and a surau next to the toll. However, WCE reports that Section 2 will include a rest and recreation area. The concessionaire anticipates daily traffic of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles for Section 1.
As it stands, seven out of the planned eleven sections of the WCE are complete, with Section 2, which spans 7.2 kilometers, projected to open in December. The opening of sections has been gradual since late 2019, starting with Section 5 that connected Bandar Bukit Raja Selatan to Bandar Bukit Raja Utara. In November 2023, Section 6, measuring 21.8 kilometers from Bandar Bukit Raja Utara to Assam Jawa, became operational, bringing the total to two completed sections in Selangor.
In Perak, progress has been quicker—Section 11 from Beruas to Taiping Selatan was opened in March of this year, completing all four sections in that state and providing a seamless route from Hutan Melintang near the Selangor border to Taiping.
Once Section 2 opens in December, the next segments to be completed in Selangor will be S3 (from SAE to NKVE, Federal Highway), S4 (from NKVE, Federal Highway to NNKSB), and S7 (from Assam Jawa to Tanjung Karang).
Upon completion, the WCE will stretch 314.5 kilometers, linking regions such as Beruas, Sri Manjung, Sitiawan, Teluk Intan, Bagan Datuk, and Hutan Melintang in Perak, as well as Sabak Bernam, Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Shah Alam, and Banting in Selangor. Notably, the E32 highway also runs along part of the FT5 ‘old road’, particularly visible in the Sabak Bernam/Sekinchan area as well as from Teluk Intan to Lekir.
Have you had a chance to use all the open stretches of the WCE? If so, what are your thoughts on this ‘PLUS for the west coast towns’ – is it proving useful?
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