WCE Opens Western Coastal Development Corridor, Provides A Thousand Benefits To Perakians: 11 March 2024

The Public Works Minister delivering his speech.

TAIPING, 11 March 2024 - The opening of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) will open a development corridor in the west coast and bring a thousand and one benefits to the people of Perak.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said the WCE not only expands the transport network and connectivity of the populace, but also provides a thousand and one benefits in improving the people’s wellbeing.

"Not one, not two, but there are five districts in Perak that are directly involved in the WCE alignment, namely Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Perak Tengah, Manjung and Larut, Matang and Selama.

"It provides access options and expands the transport network to residents in small towns along the west coast of Perak, such as Hutan Melintang, Lekir, Sitiawan, Beruas and Trong, in addition to helping these small towns connect to economic growth centres more easily.

He said this in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of Section 11 of the West Coast Expressway from the Taiping Selatan and Beruas elevated Interchanges at the Taiping Selatan Toll Plaza here.

Also present were Public Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Public Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Exco Members, State Assemblymen, State Members of Parliament, Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) chairman Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Hasni Mohammad, LLM director-general Dato' Ir. Sazali Harun, West Coast Expressway chairman Datuk Ir. Hamzah  Hasan and heads of state and federal departments.

Dato' Seri Saarani added that efficient and strategic expressway connections will make Perak an easily accessible destination for local and international tourists.

"The opening of Section 11 of the WCE from the Taiping Selatan elevated Interchange to the Beruas elevated Interchange which completes the entire WCE alignment in Perak is timely, and will be the main entrance to bring tourists in conjunction with the Visit Perak Year 2024. 

"Perak is famous for its various interesting holiday destinations and has many historical tourist spots. The WCE route with its strategic exit junctions will take tourists to explore the beauty and prosperity of Perak," he said. 

The opening of Section 11 of the WCE, covering a stretch of 35.5 km, will connect users directly from the PLUS Expressway at Changkat Jering to the south of Perak until the state of Selangor. 

In conjunction with the opening of the section, the concessionaire has agreed to offer free tolls for both directions of the alignment for two months, from 12.01 midnight on 12 March 2024 until 11 May 2024.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.