With plans for future expansion, the WCE looks to play a pivotal role in connecting and driving growth in the country’s western corridor (pic source: wce.com.my)
THE West Coast Expressway (WCE) is a significant infrastructure project in Malaysia, aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth along the country’s western corridor.
Spanning approximately 233km, this monumental highway begins in the charming town of Banting, Selangor, and extends all the way to the Changkat Jering Interchange in Perak, creating a faster and more efficient transportation route between these two states.
According to WCE Holdings Bhd CEO Lyndon Alfred Felix, a substantial portion of the land acquired for the highway’s construction came from prominent companies such as Sime Darby Bhd, United Plantations Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK), as these companies have shifted their focus from plantations to development.
As a result, the region is expected to undergo significant transformation over time. Currently, development is more rapid in Selangor, but Perak is likely to follow suit.
Notably, the town situated near the Banting endpoint of the highway has experienced a surge in development around areas like Kota Kemuning and Teluk Panglima Garang, with notable projects by companies such as Tropicana Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.
Overall, the WCE represents a crucial step towards improving transport infrastructure and fostering economic development in Malaysia’s western region.
As more areas along the route experience growth and investment, the potential benefits of this project for the country are becoming increasingly apparent as the impact of the WCE on small towns like Banting in Selangor is already evident.
According to Felix, the town located near the Banting endpoint of the highway has witnessed a surge in development, particularly in areas like Kota Kemuning and Teluk Panglima Garang. Notable projects by companies such as Tropicana and Gamuda have contributed to this development.
“So, at some point down the line, I can envision that the Perak site will also begin to experience similar development. However, it is worth noting that the development in Selangor is currently more rapid and faster.
“In Selangor, the endpoint is Banting, and you can observe a significant amount of development around the Banting area, extending towards Kota Kemuning and Teluk Panglima Garang. The region includes a township with prominent developments by companies like Tropicana and Gamuda, making it a substantial development in its own right,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR).
Adding more, Felix said one of the key factors contributing to the growth along the corridor is the proximity to major ports such as Port Klang and the West Port.
This, he said, makes the WCE a preferred route for heavy vehicles and industries, further boosting economic activities and infrastructure development in the region.
Nonetheless, this ambitious project is not without its share of challenges, especially due to its coastal location.
Felix revealed that the soft ground poses a sinking risk, necessitating meticulous ground treatment and consolidation. Months of waiting and ground-filling are prerequisites before road construction could commence.
“Since this is a coastal highway, the ground where we are building our highway is very soft. And when the ground is soft, you’re going have a situation where the ground will start sinking.
“So, what we need to do in terms of engineering preparation is something called ground treatment to consolidate the ground. This involves filling the highway with sand and then waiting for the ground to settle,” Felix explained.
The CEO added that there is no possible way to expedite the process other than just waiting for the earth to be consolidated.
Addressing concerns about potential sinkholes, he said the authorities clarified that such occurrences were not related to the road construction itself but were caused by surrounding factors.
Looking towards the future, he said discussions regarding the expansion and upgrades of the WCE are already underway as proposals to extend the highway further have been presented to the government for evaluation.
Felix shared that the possibility of an extension up to Padang Besar is also being explored, considering the expected increase in traffic and economic development in the region.
“I think these are proposals at the government level. They are starting to evaluate and assess the feasibility.
“Personally, if you ask me, there will definitely come a time when there needs to be an extension, because, for the time being, it may be okay, but it will come to a point where it’s going to be congested as well, especially with the heavy development around Penang now,” he said.
Felix added that the completion of the WCE is set to transform small towns in Selangor and Perak, offering new opportunities for economic growth and real estate development.
As the highway becomes fully operational, he said its impact on property prices and local economies will be closely monitored, making it a game-changer for these regions in Malaysia.
With plans for future expansion, the WCE looks to play a pivotal role in connecting and driving growth in the country’s western corridor.
Source : The Malaysian Reserve Online
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