Johor bahru: A total of RM25 million has been approved for preliminary works on the East Coast Expressway Phase 4 (LPT4) project, which includes traffic studies, engineering design, and proposed alignments, starting this year. Johor State Public Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh announced the approval, emphasizing the impact of the project on regional development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LPT4 is set to span 142 kilometers from Ulu Tiram to Mersing. Mohamad Fazli highlighted that the main objective of the project is to spur development in the surrounding areas while enhancing the connectivity of the existing East Coast Expressway network, which links Johor to other parts of the region via Kuantan, Pahang.

The original plan for the expressway divides the project into three main stretches: Johor Bahru-Kota Tinggi (30 km), Kota Tinggi-Mersing (80 km), and Mersing-Endau (32 km). Mohamad Fazli noted that collaboration between the state government and the Ministry of Works on LPT4 is anticipated to significantly benefit Johor's development, improving convenience and comfort for residents.

Although LPT4 was initially scheduled for construction after 2030 under the Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP), the state has prioritized the project in response to rapid development. This prioritization aims to ensure that eastern coastal regions, such as Mersing and Kota Tinggi, are not left behind in terms of infrastructure and economic growth.