West Coast Expressway

The West Coast Expressway (E32), abbrivated WCE, is an interstate controlled-access highway running along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The 233-kilometre (145-mile) expressway is currently under construction, with several sections open for public use. Once completed, the expressway will run between Changkat Jering, Perak and Banting, Selangor, following federal routes 5 and 60 for most of its route. The expressway will operate in three sections, with sections of federal route 5 completing the missing connections; these sections will be upgraded to limited-access roads. The expressway is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2024,[1] except for a 10 km stretch from Section 7B which is expected to be completed by June 2026.[2]

This article is about the expressway in Malaysia. For the highway running along the west coast of South Korea, see Seohaean Expressway.

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Expressway 32
Lebuhraya Pesisiran Pantai Barat
West Coast Expressway
Route information
Maintained by West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd
Length233.0 km (144.8 mi)
Status3 sections opened:
  • Beruas–Lekir
  • Teluk Intan–Hutan Melintang
  • Kapar–Bukit Raja
Existed2014–present
HistoryOpened in stages from June 2019, expected completion in 2024.
Major junctions
North end FT 60 Federal route 60 and North–South Expressway Northern Route North–South Expressway Northern Route at Changkat Jering, Perak
Major intersections FT 5 Federal route 5
FT 58 Federal route 58
Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway
New North Klang Straits Bypass New North Klang Straits Bypass
FT 2 Federal Highway
FT 3216 Jalan Batu Tiga Lama
Shah Alam Expressway Shah Alam Expressway
South Klang Valley Expressway South Klang Valley Expressway
South end FT 31 Jalan Banting–Dengkil at Banting, Selangor
Location
CountryMalaysia
Primary
destinations		Taiping, Pantai Remis, Beruas, Sitiawan, Teluk Intan, Hutan Melintang, Sabak Bernam, Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor, Kapar, Sungai Besar, Bukit Raja, Klang, Banting
Highway system

The expressway is being built by Konsortium Lebuhraya Pantai Barat. Approval was given by the government for the construction, which was to begin from 20 December 2013 and was to be completed within five years.[3] It originally was given route code E28 but later changed to E32, and E28 was used by Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge. The project was delayed and actual construction began in May 2014. Currently, a 9.7-kilometre (6.0 mi) segment between Kapar and Bukit Raja,[4] a 19-kilometre (12 mi) segment from Hutan Melintang to Teluk Intan[5] and a 45-kilometre (28 mi) segment from Lekir to Beruas[6] are opened to traffic.

Once the expressway is completed, it will be the fourth longest in Peninsular Malaysia, after the North-South Expressway Northern Route, the East Coast Expressway and the North-South Expressway Southern Route.

Overview

Construction of the expressway is divided into eleven packages. Works for the first five packages commenced in May 2014, of which three packages are in Selangor while the other two are in Perak. The stretches between Tanjung Karang to Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan to Kampung Lekir are using the existing stretches of federal route 5, both of which are currently being upgraded. As a result, the expressway will consist of three non-contiguous stretches of controlled-access expressway (JKR R6), i.e. from Banting to Tanjung Karang, Hutan Melintang to Teluk Intan and Lekir to Changkat Jering while the two stretches on federal route 5 are partial access highways (JKR R5) featuring grade-separated interchanges at major junctions, left-in/left-out junctions and at-grade U-Turns.

A spur link from Changkat Keruing to Siputeh (near Ipoh) in Perak which will be connected via an interchange with the main link is also in the plan. Construction of the spur link is however deferred. The spur link will consist of a controlled-access expressway (JKR R6) stretch from Changkat Keruing to Parit while the stretch between Parit to Siputeh will use the existing stretch of federal route 73 will be similarly upgraded like the two federal route 5 stretches of the main link package has been awarded to Gedeihen Engineering Sdn Bhd. The controlled-access expressway stretches will use a closed toll system like the North–South Expressway. Toll collection has started at all opened stretches of the expressway. The stretches on existing federal roads will remain toll-free.

The highway will cost about RM 4.6 billion, where RM3.6 billion will be construction costs. The concessionaire company is planning to issue bonds in 2009.

On 25 May 2014, the construction of the expressway began. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new expressway was held near the Teluk Intan interchange in Teluk Intan, Perak.

Five interchanges (sections 4–5, 8–10) were expected to be opened in time for Eid al-Fitr in 2019[7] but a burst water pipe on 5 May 2019 delayed the opening of sections 4–5.[8]

On 31 May 2019, section 8 between Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan in Perak was opened to traffic. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Works, Mohd. Anuar Tahir.[5] This followed by the opening of sections 9 and 10 between Lekir and Beruas, also in Perak on 23 September 2019 and officiated by Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan.[6] The first section to open in Selangor was section 5 between Kapar and Bukit Raja and officiated by Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Mohd Shuhaimi Hassan. This stretch was opened to public on 10 December 2019.[4]

As of 10 December 2019, the expressway is 71% completed[4] with section 4 (Federal Highway 2–Bandar Bukit Raja (North)) slated to be opened in Q1 2020 followed by sections 1–3 (Banting–Federal Highway 2) & section 6 (Kapar–Assam Jaya) in early 2021.[1]

Land acquisition issues and alignment changes causing delay of the construction of section 7 (Assam Jawa–Tanjung Karang),[7] which will be completed by 2024 along with section 11 (Beruas–Taiping South).[9][10]

WCE group has the first right of refusal for Section 12 (Siputeh – Segari) which will cost RM600 million with 41 km stretch. There is a plan to extend the expressway all the way to Penang if it is feasible.[9]

Route background
WCE in Sungai Rasau, Klang
WCE in Changkat Jering, the northern termini in Taiping

The northern terminus of the expressway will be located at Changkat Jering on the North–South Expressway Northern Route. The southern terminus will be located at Banting on Federal Route 31. The expressway will have interchanges to Trong, Beruas, Changkat Cermin, Sitiawan, Lekir, Teluk Intan, Hutan Melintang, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Sekinchan, Tanjung Karang, Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway at Assam Jawa, Kapar, New North Klang Straits Bypass, New Klang Valley Expressway at Bukit Raja, Federal Highway at Klang, Sri Andalas, Shah Alam Expressway near Jalan Kebun and South Klang Valley Expressway.

12 sites have been identified as rest and services area with each area will have 2 petrol stations.[9]

Tolls

The expressway implements closed toll system where rates are calculated between entry and exit of the expressway. However toll collections are not implemented in Federal Route 5 upgraded sections, making the closed toll section divided into three sections, including the short section of Hutan Melintang - Teluk Intan as well where vehicles still need to go through entry and exit tolls despite not having interchanges in between.

As for now toll collection has begun in all the opened sections.

Toll rates
Hutan Melintang - Teluk Intan tolls
Class Types of Vehicles Rate (in Malaysian ringgit RM)
0 Motorcycles Free
1 Vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels excluding taxis RM 2.90
2 Vehicles with 2 axles and 5 or 6 wheels excluding buses RM 5.80
3 Vehicles with 3 or more axles RM 8.70
4 Taxis RM 1.50
5 Buses RM 2.20

Junction list
State District km Exit Name Destinations Notes
Perak Larut, Matang & Selama Taiping (S)

North–South Expressway Northern Route( AH2) North–South Expressway Northern Route – Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh, Penang, Alor Setar, Kangar, Kuala Lumpur
Taiping Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
(under construction)
3237 Trong FT 60 Federal Route 60 – Trong Trumpet interchange
Manjung 241.63 3235 Beruas FT 73 Federal Route 73 – Beruas, Parit, Pantai Remis Trumpet interchange
3233 Changkat Cermin FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Ayer Tawar, Bota, Seri Iskandar, Batu Gajah, Ipoh Trumpet interchange
3232 Sitiawan (U) FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar, Seri Manjung, Lumut, Pelabuhan Lumut , Pulau Pangkor , Teluk Senangin Trumpet interchange
3231 Sitiawan FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Sitiawan

FT 60 Federal Route 60 – Seri Manjung, Lumut, Pelabuhan Lumut , Pulau Pangkor , Teluk Batik

Trumpet interchange
Lekir Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
198.24 3230 Kampung Lekir FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Kampung Lekir Diamond interchange
193.59 Federal Route FT 5 stretch ends (Northbound) / commences (Southbound)

Expressway commences (Northbound) / ends (Southbound)

Kampung Kayan
Perak Tengah Jalan Trans Perak A266 Jalan Trans Perak – FELCRA Seberang Perak, Kampung Gajah, Bota Kiri
Jalan Bota Kiri A18 Jalan Bota Kiri – Pasir Salak, Kampung Gajah, Bota Kiri
Hilir Perak Sungai Dedap
Sungai Rubana
Sultan Yusuf Bridge
162.07 Expressway ends (Northbound) / commences (Southbound)

Federal Route FT 5 stretch commences (Northbound) / ends (Southbound)

3223 Teluk Intan FT 58 Federal Route 58 – Teluk Intan, Bidor, Sungkai

FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk

 Diamond interchange
Teluk Intan Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
Teluk Intan Rest and Service Area (under construction; both directions; separated)
Bagan Datuk Hutan Melintang Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
3222 Hutan Melintang FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk

Jalan Sungai Samak – Kampung Sungai Samak

 Diamond interchange
143.99 Federal Route FT 5 stretch ends northbound / commences southbound

Expressway commences northbound / ends southbound

Perak–Selangor border Sungai Bernam Bridge
Selangor Sabak Bernam Sabak Bernam Jalan Menteri - Sabak Bernam Diamond interchange
Jalan Sungai Air Tawar B55 Jalan Sungai Air Tawar – Sungai Air Tawar, Bagan Nakhoda Omar Diamond interchange under construction
Sungai Besar B51 Jalan Sungai Limau Dua – Sungai Besar Diamond interchange under construction
Jalan Sungai Panjang B44 Jalan Sungai Panjang – Sungai Panjang, Tanjung Malim Half-diamond interchange
Sekinchan Jalan Bahagia – Sekinchan Diamond interchange
Kuala Selangor Expressway (under construction) ends northbound / commences southbound

Federal Route FT 5 stretch commences northbound / ends southbound

3212 Tanjung Karang FT 5 Federal Route 5 – Tanjung Karang Diamond interchange
Tanjung Karang Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
(under construction)
3210 Assam Jawa FT 54 Federal Route 54 – Kuala Selangor, Bestari Jaya, Puncak Alam

Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway – Rawang, Selayang, Kuala Lumpur, Damansara

 Trumpet interchange under construction
Klang 3208 Kapar FT 3217 Jalan Perindustrian Kapar–Meru – Kapar, Meru, Setia Alam Trumpet interchange
3205 Sri Andalas FT 190 Federal Route 190 – Taman Sri Andalas
3204 SAE Shah Alam Expressway Shah Alam Expressway – Pulau Indah , Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Langat SKVE South Klang Valley Expressway South Klang Valley Expressway – Pulau Indah , Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Kajang Trumpet interchange
Banting Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
(under construction)
3201 Banting FT 31 Jalan Banting–Dengkil – Banting, Dengkil, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) , Morib, Tanjung Sepat Trumpet interchanget

Bukit Raja Flyover
State District km Exit Name Destinations Notes
Selangor Klang 3207 Bandar Bukit Raja (S) West Coast Expressway Main Link – Kuala Selangor, Teluk Intan, Lumut, Ipoh, Changkat Jering, Taiping Parclo interchange
NNKSB2 Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
3207A Bandar Bukit Raja (S) FT 3217 Jalan Perindustrian Kapar–Meru – Meru, Setia Alam Parclo interchange
3207B Bandar Bukit Raja (S) New North Klang Straits Bypass New North Klang Straits Bypass – Pelabuhan Klang Parclo interchange
3207C Bandar Bukit Raja (S) North–South Expressway Northern Route New Klang Valley Expressway – Subang, Damansara, Kuala Lumpur

FT 2 Federal Route 2 – Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur
Sungai Rasau Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID
(under construction)
3206 Sungai Rasau West Coast Expressway Main Link – Kebun, Teluk Panglima Garang, Kajang, Pulau Indah, Banting Parclo interchange

References
  1. "Hot spots coming up along WCE". Edgeprop.my. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  2. "Bumpy path to profitability | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. http://www.wce.com.my/media-updates/New-beginning-for-KEuro
  4. Chan, Dawn (1 December 2019). "West Coast Expressway opens Section 5 stretch to traffic tonight". NST Online. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  5. Arif, Zahratulhayat Mat (3 May 2019). "Section 8 of West Coast Expressway opens today". NST Online. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  6. Bernama (2 September 2019). "Sections 9, 10 of WCE now open". NST Online. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  7. "West Coast Expressway – Media Updates – WCE back in the spotlight". wce.com.my. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  8. Thiagarajan, Tara (9 May 2019). "Photos Show Extent Of Damage to Collapsed Expressway That Caused Unexpected Water Shortage in Klang – WORLD OF BUZZ". worldofbuzz.com/. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  9. "In high gear to complete 233km West Coast Expressway | The Star Online". The Star. Malaysia. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  10. "WCE highway completion delayed to 2024 | The Malaysian Reserve". The Malaysian Reserve. Malaysia. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
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