Great news for users of the West Coast Expressway (WCE)! After a long wait, another section of the expressway has finally launched. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi officiated the Taiping Selatan (South) to Beruas stretch of the expressway earlier today (11th March), launching a new route for Malaysians travelling back to their hometown this Ramadan and Hari Raya.
The Taiping-Beruas section, also known as Section 11, was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 but was postponed to this year. The new section aims to ease traffic congestion and reduce travel time between the two locations from a 55-minute drive to 20 minutes. It would also benefit users by reducing fuel costs.
At the launch ceremony at Bukit Gantang, the Works Minister also announced that the expressway will be toll-free from 12th March until 11th May in celebration of its opening. Alexander Nanta Linggi said the free tolls will apply to motorists entering the expressway from both directions. He also thanked the West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority for approving the toll-free period, which he says will benefit those travelling during the upcoming holiday season.
Section 11 is the sixth completed section of the West-Coast Expressway, alongside Section 5 (Klang-Kampar) and Section 6 (Kapar-Assam Java) in Selangor and Section 8 (Hutan Melintang-Teluk Intan), Section 9 (Kg Lekir-Changkat Cermin) and Section 10 (Changkat Mirror-Beruas) in Perak. These five sections already serve around 70,000 vehicles daily. According to West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd CEO Lyndon Alfred Felix, another two sections are set to open later this year and be fully operational by the third quarter.
What do you think about the new Taiping-Beruas section Of the West Coast Expressway?
Source: Free Malaysia Today, Malay Mail
