TANGKAK: The West Coast Expressway (WCE) from Banting, Selangor, to Gelang Patah, Johor, will serve as an alternative route to alleviate the traffic congestion frequently faced by motorists on the North-South Expressway (NSE). Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that apart from reducing traffic congestion, the project, which is in the planning stages, will positively impact development in areas along the route, thereby contributing to the local economy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke emphasized that the WCE will provide a much-needed alternative to the NSE, which is often congested, particularly on weekends. He noted that the expressway is crucial for easing traffic from Johor Bahru to the north or Kuala Lumpur. Loke spoke about the project’s potential as a catalyst for new development in coastal areas during a groundbreaking ceremony for a Multi-Purpose Building at Pei Hwa Independent High School.
The initiative is expected to spur economic growth in regions such as Klang, Port Dickson, Melaka, Mu
ar, and Batu Pahat. Loke elaborated on the project’s benefits to the logistics sector, highlighting that it would link major ports like Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP). He mentioned that the new highway is expected to enhance economic activities at PTP and support the integration of various transportation modes, including railways.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of Budget 2025 on Oct 18, indicated that the WCE Banting-Gelang Patah Expressway Project would be prioritized next year under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Besides WCE, other PPP projects include the construction of Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 in Johor and the Juru and Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway in Penang.
Currently, the NSE is the sole highway connecting Johor to the Klang Valley, facilitating land transport for vehicles such as lorries, buses, cars, and motorbikes. Managed by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS), the NSE has been operational since 1994.
