“Section 2 of the West Coast Expressway opens at midnight, linking SKVE and SAE to Port Klang, boosting logistics efficiency and reducing travel times. Toll-free for one month.“
Klang, 22th Jan 2025, 02.30pm – Section 2 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) is set to open to traffic at midnight, marking a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity and solidifying Port Klang’s position as Southeast Asia’s largest logistics hub.
The newly completed 7.2km stretch links the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and the Shah Alam Expressway (SAE), providing a crucial route for seamless access to Port Klang, a vital hub for regional trade and commerce.
Boost to Logistics and Investments
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi highlighted that the new alignment is expected to lower logistics sector costs, streamline goods delivery, and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness globally. “The opening of this section will directly attract investments into industrial areas and ports, create job opportunities, and act as a catalyst for economic growth,” he said during the launch ceremony.
The minister noted that the WCE would significantly benefit the logistics industry, enabling faster and more cost-effective transportation of goods to and from Port Klang, further enhancing the country’s export and import efficiency.
Toll-Free Travel for a Month
In celebration of the opening, toll-free travel will be offered for one month, starting at midnight. Motorists can enjoy free passage between the SKVE and SAE interchanges during this period, a move expected to encourage road users to explore the new route.
Travel Time Reduction
The alignment complements Section 1 of the WCE, which opened on Aug 31, 2023. Together, these sections have drastically reduced travel time between Shah Alam and Banting, cutting the journey from one hour to just 25 minutes.
Project Completion Timeline
With the opening of Section 2, only three out of the 11 planned alignments along the 45km expressway remain under construction. These remaining sections, all located within Selangor, are progressing steadily.
“Section 3 is expected to be completed and opened by next year, bringing us closer to the full operational capability of the expressway,” Nanta revealed.
Economic and Regional Impact
The WCE project plays a pivotal role in improving Malaysia’s infrastructure, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors. By reducing travel times and enhancing connectivity between key industrial areas, the WCE is expected to attract domestic and international investments, creating new economic opportunities for the surrounding regions.
Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi reiterated the government’s commitment to completing the expressway on schedule, emphasizing its importance in driving economic growth, improving trade efficiency, and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional logistics powerhouse.