The West Coast Expressway will add six new toll entry points to Melaka by 2026 to ease congestion and improve traffic flow for heavy vehicles.
MELAKA: Six new toll plazas will be constructed in Melaka as part of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) project, significantly altering the state’s transport network.
State Works, Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mtyheen Kunju Basheer said the 69-kilometre WCE stretch across Melaka is scheduled for launch at the end of 2026.
The new plazas will bring the total number of entry points into the state to nine, supplementing the three existing ones on the PLUS Highway at Simpang Ampat, Ayer Keroh and Jasin.
Hameed acknowledged that proposing six tolls along a 69km distance, roughly one every 11 or 12km, may seem illogical.
“But it is the best alternative for dispersing traffic, which is getting increasingly more congested at the three existing entrances, especially at the Ayer Keroh toll plaza,” he told a press conference.
He stated all new plazas will be built in strategic areas to facilitate entry, particularly for heavy vehicles.
Suggested locations include Semabok in Melaka Tengah, and Gangsa and Masjid Tanah in Alor Gajah.
Hameed clarified that Melaka residents will still be able to use a new ring road alignment without paying tolls.
“This project not only helps facilitate the journey of residents but also tourists, since the road network can be maximised without affecting traffic flow at existing residential areas,” he said.
He added the overall mega project development is estimated to take about 10 years to complete, dependent on coordination with Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
“We are at the final phase of the alignment, and the tabling will be made next week before getting the approval from the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
The new ring road alignment will include several main projects, such as connecting Alor Gajah to Melaka Tengah via an upgraded Jalan Masjid Tanah to Sungai Udang route.
This nearly seven-kilometre stretch will be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes at a cost of RM300 million.
