KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The project to widen the Kuala Lumpur-Karak (KLK) Expressway, aimed at addressing congestion, is expected to start in January, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the concessionaire is finalising the project design before starting physical construction at the site.
“This delay is due to a change in shareholders that has only recently been finalised. According to the Concession Agreement, the construction period for the KLK Expressway widening is four years, and it is expected to be completed by 2029,” he said in reply to a question from Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan).
Ahmad added that the project, which will be carried out by AFA Prime Bhd (formerly known as Anih Bhd) as the concessionaire for the KLK Expressway, will cover a distance of 45.3km with a total cost of RM2.1 billion.
The scope of work, from the Gombak Toll Plaza to Bentong, includes adding one lane to Section 1, increasing the current three lanes to four (from Gombak Toll Plaza to Genting Sempah).
Additionally, Section 2 will see an increase from two lanes to three lanes (from Genting Sempah to Bentong).
The scope of work will also involve the construction of a new two-lane tunnel adjacent to the existing tunnel heading East.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said the Works Ministry is conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a road from the Pelangai junction, Pahang, to Putrajaya, to find a solution to enhance connectivity for the Central Spine Road while determining alternative routes to reduce congestion on existing routes from the East Coast to the West Coast.
He said the study has been approved in Rolling Plan 4 of the 12th Malaysia Plan and is scheduled for completion on August 12, 2025.
Replying to a supplementary question from Wan Razali on whether the government intends to reduce the operations of the three tolls at Karak, Bentong, and Gombak to one toll at a suitable location, Ahmad explained that the KLK Expressway operates under an open toll system and any consolidation from three to one tollgate would affect existing agreements.
— Bernama
