Month-long free toll as Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway opens to traffic

KUALA LUMPUR: The Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) is toll-free for a month in conjunction with its opening.

The Works Minister said the free access will involve the Chan Sow Lin toll plaza, Ampang toll plaza from the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) leading to SPE and Setiawangsa toll plaza (southbound and northbound) from Nov 2 until Dec 2.

"After that period, motorists will be charged a toll rate of RM3.50 for Class 1 vehicles (cars)," Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic) told reporters after the opening ceremony.

Nanta said SPE involves four sections, Kerinchi-Salak (Section 1), Salak-Pandan (Section 2), Pandan-Setiawangsa (Section 3) and Setiawangsa-Taman Melati (Section 4), with a total distance of 20.7 km, adding that Section 4, with a distance of 4.4 km, was opened to motorists on Dec 21, 2021.

"The full opening of the SPE, which serves as a shortcut to several destinations, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the government's efforts to ease traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur during peak hours by up to 30%, in addition to enhancing infrastructure for the comfort of the residents.

"For example, the peak-hour travel time from Kerinchi, Petaling Jaya to Taman Melati in Gombak and vice versa is expected to take only 35 minutes compared to one hour and 30 minutes using the current route thus benefitting about 10,000 motorists," he said.