LATAR Expressway Enters Final Stage

Measuring 33 kms, it is a greenfield project that will provide a faster, safer choice for commuters

KUALA LUMPUR --- The KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR Expressway) linking Kuala Lumpur at Templer’s Park in the district of Gombak with the township of Ijok in the district of Kuala Selangor on the West coast of the peninsula, has now entered into the final stage of development.

KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Berhad (KLSEB), concessionaire for the new LATAR Expressway, announced this today.

The 33 km dual carriageway expressway will be the alternative link road to the present Jalan Sungai Buloh – Kuala Selangor (Federal Road 54). When opened, LATAR Expressway will provide for a faster, safer, smoother and non-congested drive that would take just a mere 18 minutes to accomplish from end-to-end.

Commuters will find easy access, convenience and connectivity to the many communities and townships along the LATAR Expressway.

It links the townships of Kuala Selangor, Assam Jawa, Ijok, Batang Berjuntai, Kota Puteri, Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, Bukit Jelutong, Sungai Buloh, Kundang, Rawang and Selayang.

The LATAR Expressway features four interchanges and three toll plazas on each side of the expressway. The four interchanges give faster and easy access into the existing Guthrie Corridor Expressway, PLUS North-South Expressway and the future West Coast Highway.

LATAR Expressway also features the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), CCTVs, Variable Message Signboards (VMS), traffic control devices, all weather road markers and emergency telephones that ensure the safety of commuters traversing the expressway.

Rest and service areas (R&R) can also be found on both sides of the expressway to add to the convenience of motorists wishing to take a break while plying the expressway.

The new expressway forms the North West portion of the Malaysian Government’s bigger plan for a KL Outer Ring Road (KLORR) which begins from the Templer’s Park Interchange along Federal Route 1 (KL-Rawang) to the Guthrie Corridor Expressway.

KLORR is a planned orbital ring road within the greater Kuala Lumpur area as an alternative to the present congested Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

Currently, the completed sections of KLORR include the Guthrie Corridor Expressway linking to Elite Expressway from Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam to Saujana Putra, and the South Klang Valley Expressway from Saujana Putra to Kajang. In addition KLORR connects Kajang to Hulu Langat via the SILK Highway.

With the impending completion of LATAR Expressway, 75% of the KLORR network would be formed leading to the Government’s greater vision for traffic dispersal that reduces congestion in Kuala Lumpur city.

With the new LATAR Expressway in place, it is expected to spur further growth of property developments, townships and commerce in the region, just as it has during the construction period.

Construction of the LATAR Expressway began in October 2008 and is expected to complete in the near future. With inspections by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) to duly follow, it is hoped that motorists can enjoy the new expressway by the middle of this year.

The concession was awarded to KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Berhad for a period of 40 years. Mudajaya Holdings Berhad is the turnkey contractor for this expressway who was awarded the job for a contract value amounting to RM958 million. The construction divided into two packages, comprises package 1 of the proposed design-and-build contract from Asam Jawa to Kundang, while package 2 is from Kundang to Templer's Park.