JELAS Expressway Preliminary Works Could Begin in 2016: Targeted for Completion in 2018

Kuala Lumpur: As reported by The Star, the preliminary works of JELAS expressway (Jelapang-Selama-Batu Kawan Expressway) could begin in 2016. The RM4.6 billion expressway project is targeted for completion in 2018. The new expressway will begin from the NSE (North-South Expressway) at Meru Raya and link back to the NSE (North-South Expressway) in Batu Kawan.

The JELAS Expressway will stretch over 116 kilometers and will be built on the unused land. There will be three lanes on both north-and-south bound roads. The solar-powered LED street lighting will be installed on the entire stretch of the expressway, which will also have a 3-kilometer tunnel passing through the Bintang Mountain range. The tunnel is claimed to be the longest tunnel in Aisa. There will be a total of 10 interchanges on the expressway: Lima Kongsi, Serdang, Selama, Batu Kurau, Anak Kurau, Kati, Karai, Sungai Siput, Kanthan Baru and Klebang.

Tan Sri Bahadon Haji Ariffin, Group Executive Chairman of Beta Mutiara Corp (BMC) told reporters that the corporation is planning to start the preliminary works of the JELAS expressway, which is a survey on the final alignment and soil investigation in January 2016. The project has already got the approval from the Perak and Penang state governments in 2010 but awaiting the final approval from the Public-Private Partnership Unit under the Prime Minister's department.

Bahadon also added that BMC is very confident of getting the approval for the JELAS expressway project and the BMC is is all set to start the project during the first week of January 2015. He also added that an agreement will be signed between the government to have a fixed concession fares for the first fifty years. The price of the fares are yet to be determined and this basically means that there will no fare hikes for the first fifty years, he further explained. The Jelapang-Selama-Batu Kawan Expressway will not only enhance the economy of the town in the region, but it will also reduce huge traffic on the NSE, specifically during the weekends and holiday seasons.

Also Read: Malaysian Road Deaths Ratio Higher than World Average