IPOH: The West Coast Expressway (WCE), which will be opened in stages, will boost Perak’s economic growth and create jobs.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said people will get to open businesses at rest and recreation areas.
“They can do it at Teluk Intan Utara, Te-luk Intan Selatan, Sitiawan Utara, Sitiawan Selatan, Trong Utara and Trong Selatan rest areas.
“The state government and state planning units are drafting new developments along WCE to benefit locals.”
State Human Capital Development, Sports and Youth Committee chairman Howard Lee Chuan How said the 233km-long WCE stretches from Jalan Banting-KLIA (B18) until Tanjong Karang interchange (93.8km), while in Perak, it runs from Jalan Persekutuan (FR5) in Hutan Melintang until Changkat Jering Plaza Toll (139.2km).
Upon its completion, Lee said, the journey from Klang to Sekinchan, Selangor, would take only 45 minutes, while from Kuala Lumpur to Manjung would take only about an hour.
“This will smoothen logistics between the two states.”
West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Neoh Soon Hiong said the company would ensure the expressway would be open to users by the end of next month before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, expected to fall on June 4 and 5.
“We are hoping the five interchanges over 70km, involving Hutan Melintang to Beruas in Perak and Klang to Kapar in Selangor, can be opened immediately.”