“Things will get tougher before they get better.” A candid statement from Tan Sri Azmil Khalili Khalid, chairman of the AFA Group, on the challenges that will face users of the KL-Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway (LPT1).
In a briefing on the RM2.1 billion highway widening project, Azmil hoped for patience from road users over the next four years as work on widening this vital route connecting the Klang Valley to the East Coast begins.
Scheduled to begin in January 2025 and take 48 months to complete, the project will upgrade the highway from Gombak to Bentong to address the worsening congestion problem. With traffic increasing especially during weekends and festive seasons, the need for the widening has become more urgent. Despite the scale of the project, it is fully funded by the AFA Group, without government funding. However, any possible increase in toll rates is subject to government approval.
The widening project involves major engineering challenges to overcome the hilly terrain. Between the Gombak and Genting Sempah toll plazas, the existing three-lane layout will see two of the existing lanes upgraded to four lanes, increasing capacity by 25% in each direction. Meanwhile, the route from Genting Sempah to the Bentong toll plaza will be upgraded from two lanes to three lanes in each direction.
One of the key features of the project is the construction of a new tunnel, located 30 metres east of the existing eastbound tunnel at Genting Sempah. This additional tunnel will allow for greater traffic flexibility, with two tunnels being used for one direction during peak hours such as during festivals. It will also facilitate maintenance work without disrupting traffic flow.
The project also promises to improve safety, including a three-metre-wide shoulder. A rare feature on a hilly highway. In addition, the entire highway will be fully illuminated, addressing the problem of poor lighting in some parts of the route.
The AFA Group also stressed that no lanes will be closed during construction. Instead, emergency lanes will be used temporarily, although road users should be prepared for slower traffic speeds due to safety barriers.
For those who frequently commute between the Klang Valley and the East Coast, this upgrade promises a smoother and safer journey. While the construction phase will bring inevitable challenges, the long-term benefits are clear. By 2029, the KL-Karak Expressway and LPT1 will offer significantly improved capacity, safety, and efficiency, making the wait a worthwhile investment in the nation’s infrastructure.
