East Coast Expressway

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Expressway 8 shield}}
Expressway 8
East Coast Expressway
Lebuhraya Pantai Timur
Route information
Part of AH141 (Karak–Jabur)
Maintained by
Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Location
Country
Marang, Ajil, Kuala Terengganu
Highway system

The East Coast Expressway (ECE;

Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
.

The East Coast Expressway serves as the high-speed alternative to the existing federal routes 2 and 3, which it parallels.

Route background

The East Coast Expressway begins from the eastern end of the

Kuala Nerus in Terengganu
.

This is the second longest expressway in

North-South Expressway Northern Route
.

History

See also: Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway
Titiwangsa Range, Pahang
.
The Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge (Semantan Bridge) cross Pahang River.

Early development (1994–2001)

The construction of an expressway from Karak to Kuala Terengganu was first announced in 1994 at the time when the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway was being upgraded from the former

MMC Corporation Berhad (through its subsidiary, Projek Lebuhraya Timur Sdn. Bhd. (Pelita)), MTD Group and Malaysian Resource Corporation Berhad (MRCB).[2] The 338-km expressway was planned as a different route than the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway even though the former would begin at the end point of the latter.[1] At that time, the estimated construction cost of the expressway was RM4.6 billion before being reduced to RM4.26 billion for the entire section from Karak to Kuala Terengganu. Due to the very high cost, MTD Group and MRCB withdrew from the consortium, leaving Pelita to do the job alone.[1][3] The concession contract between Pelita and the government was signed on 9 September 1998; however, there was no sign of any construction works by the original concessionaire due to the effects of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, hence nullifying the former concession agreement.[4]

The first delay of the project became a controversial issue nationwide. The Prime Minister at that time, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, announced that all expressway projects at that time to be postponed, claiming that Malaysians were not ready to pay tolls to enjoy higher-quality highways.[5] After the state governments of Pahang, Terengganu and Johor pleaded to the federal government not to delay the expressway projects, the federal government agreed to go on with the East Coast Expressway project.[3][5]

Phase 1 (Karak–Jabor, 2001–2004)

In order to resume the expressway project, the federal government decided to fund the expressway project themselves and once again approached MTD Group as the new concessionaire company for the East Coast Expressway. A letter of intention was sent by the federal government to MTD Group on 1 March 2000, and the new concession contract was signed on 17 January 2001.[4] MTD Group was chosen as the new concessionaire company for being able to offer the lowest construction cost for the expressway project.[2] The construction of the East Coast Expressway began in October 2000 through MTD Capital Sdn Bhd using acquired land costing RM29.2 billion.[6]

However, the construction of the expressway was only limited to the first phase from Karak to Kuantan, as the new state government of Terengganu led by

1999 General Election, strongly opposed the toll collection of the expressway and insisted on building their own version of the East Coast Expressway without toll collection.[4] The abolishment of toll collection in Terengganu became the primary manifesto of PAS during the election. On the other hand, the Minister of Works at that time, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu insisted that toll collection was needed, claiming that the federal government could not afford to fully fund the East Coast Expressway without toll collection.[7]
In the end, the construction of the Terengganu section by PAS state government ultimately did not materialise at all.

The East Coast Expressway Phase 1 from Karak to Kuantan was opened to motorists on 1 August 2004, with the total cost of RM1.3 billion, which was translated to RM7.5 million per kilometre.[8] The expressway was gazetted with the route number of E8, as a continuation of the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway E8/FT2. The second part of Phase 1, the Sri Jaya and Jabur was opened in July 2007.

Phase 2 (Jabor–Kuala Terengganu, 2003–2015)

The East Coast Expressway Phase 2 extends the expressway to

2004 general election.[2][9] Unlike the first phase of the expressway where MTD Group became the only contractor (and concessionaire company), MTD was only allocated about 30% of the construction job for the second phase, from Bukit Besi to Telemung (Package 10), with the total length of 64 km.[10] The remaining 70% of the construction job was awarded to Bumiputra contractors, where 30% of the construction job was allocated to Terengganuan contractors and the remainder was allocated to non-Terengganuan contractors.[2] As a result, the section built by MTD Group was monitored by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), while the remaining section was monitored by the Malaysian Public Works Department
(JKR).

Unlike the first phase of the expressway where MTD Group managed to complete it on time despite the huge flood in Pahang during the construction period, the second phase of the expressway had sparked a controversy due to numerous delays during the construction. The deadline was set for May 2011;[11] however, the final deadline of the project completion was pushed to September 2014.[12] The price hike of construction materials such as bitumen and steel was primarily blamed for the delay, as the price hike had caused several contractors to withdraw from the project due to their inability to afford the increasing construction costs.[2][11][13] In addition, the Malaysian Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also claimed that the delay and the increase of construction costs was attributed to the change of the construction model from being a toll-free federal highway to a toll expressway.[13] Meanwhile, MTD Group claimed that the huge flood in Terengganu in 2009 that submerged some sections of the expressway had forced them to redesign the expressway, including the construction of higher viaducts in flood-prone areas, adding the construction costs further.[2]

On 7 April 2011, MTD Group's toll road divisions, MTD Prime Sdn. Bhd. and Metramac Corporation Sdn. Bhd., were spun off to form

ANIH Berhad after taking over the operations of Toll Concession from the concessionaire companies who respectively owned the concessions for Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1, and Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway (including East–West Link Expressway), with effect from 6 December 2011.[14]

The second phase of the East Coast Expressway was opened in stages. The sections from Telemung to Kuala Terengganu and Ajil–Bukit Besi were the earliest sections being opened to motorists on 22 August 2011,[15] followed by Ajil–Telemung section on 18 May 2012,[16] Bukit Besi–Paka section on 25 January 2014,[17] and Jabor–Cheneh section on 22 July 2014.[18] When completed, the East Coast Expressway E8 Phase 2 will become a toll expressway that enjoys the longest toll-free period in Malaysia for 3 years.[19]

On 31 January 2015, all sections of the Jabur–Kuala Terengganu of the East Coast Expressway has now opened to traffic.

PLUS Malaysia Berhad in August 2015.[24]

Major events

  • 14 December 2007 and 4 January 2021 – The East Coast Expressway section from Karak to Lanchang was flooded.
  • 17 September 2009 – Motorists using the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway and the East Coast Expressway can drive toll free on September 18 and 24 from midnight to 5am during
    Hari Raya Aidilfitri
    .
  • 2 September 2010 – The
    Hari Raya Aidilfitri
    holidays.
  • 23 December 2014 – The Temerloh–Chenor section of the East Coast Expressway was flooded.
  • 3 January 2021 – The Sri Jaya–Gambang section of the East Coast Expressway was flooded.

Sections

Phase 1 (Pahang): Karak–Jabur

The length of this segment is 174 km (108 mi) and runs from

MTD Capital Bhd
.

Administratively, the Gombak–Karak stretch is part of LPT Phase 1, being managed by the same concessionaire and sharing the same route number, E8. The Gombak–Karak stretch also forms part of Highway 2.

Though the expressway begins in Gombak, the zeroth kilometer is not there; instead it is located at the intersection of

Jalan Gombak. The Gombak toll plaza is located at the 19th kilometer, close to the International Islamic University Malaysia. The Karak Expressway is almost parallel to the old Gombak–Bentong road 68, crossing some villages in the Gombak constituency, before crossing the Selangor–Pahang border at the Genting Sempah Tunnel. Exits to Genting Highlands are built at both ends of the tunnel. There is a rest stop with a McDonald's
outlet just after the eastern end of the tunnel.

The ECE continues its parallel arrangement with Route 68 until the Bentong West toll plaza, where Route 68 veers towards north, merging into

Tampin in Negeri Sembilan
.

While the Gombak–Karak stretch uses an open toll collection system, with toll plazas at Gombak and Bentong, the Karak toll plaza is the beginning of the closed access system. Motorists are required to sign-in using Touch 'n Go cards or SmartTAG (transit tickets for cash transactions are no longer accepted starting August 2017). Motorists which leave the expressway sign out at the desired toll plaza and will be charged according to distance and type of vehicle.

Just after the

ANIH Berhad. Beyond Jabor, PLUS
takes over.

Phase 2 (Terengganu): Jabur–Kuala Nerus

Fully operational by January 2015, the second phase of the ECE begins in

Dungun, Bukit Besi, Ajil, and Telemong before terminating at an interchange with Highway 3 at Kampung Gemuruh near Kuala Terengganu. The Jabor–Kuala Terengganu stretch is operated by PLUS, which also operates the North–South Expressway
, as opposed to the Gombak–Jabor stretch, which is the responsibility of ANIH Berhad. Despite the different concessionaires, the Jabor–Kuala Terengganu stretch is administratively the same expressway as the Gombak–Jabor stretch, having the same route number, E8.

LPT2 is almost parallel to

Highway 14, save for the stretch between Kijal and Bukit Besi, where the expressway veered closer to the coast. Since opening, LPT2 has seen a number of fatal accidents, and a case involving a pregnant female tiger.[25] The spate of accidents had prompted certain quarters to allege that LPT2 had uneven roads, putting motorists at risk.[26]

For the first few months in operation, motorists had to sign out at the Jabor toll plaza to pay the toll fare up until Jabor, before making a loop and entering the LPT2. Since July 2015 though, the

Gombak to Kuala Terengganu now costs RM 52.80.[28]

Future sections

Phase 3 (Kelantan): Kuala Nerus–Kota Bharu

Phase 3 will connect from Kampung Gemuruh (near Kuala Terengganu) to Kota Bharu and Tumpat, just before the border with Thailand. Phase 3 will cover 124 kilometers. Two routes, one taking the coastal route and the other passing through Gua Musang constituency in southern Kelantan will be explored. The project had been included in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11, RMK 11).[29]

Phase 4 (Pahang and Johor): Gambang–Johor Bahru

Phase 4 will connect from Gambang to Johor Bahru via Malaysia Federal Route 3. Phase 4 will cover 250 kilometers. The construction of this section has not started yet for various reasons.

Safety

Since it was opened to traffic on 2015, many traffic accidents have occurred along this segment of this expressway. The majority of accidents and fatalities on the new stretches of the expressway was attributed to reckless or exhausted drivers, trespassing animals and damaged and water-logged roads.[30]

Tolls

Unlike the Kuala Lumpur - Karak Highway of E8 section, East Coast Expressway uses closed toll system with barriers where tolls are built on most of their access points and rates are calculated based on distance travelled between the entry and exit point. The current terminus of this system lies on Karak toll plaza westbound and Kuala Terengganu eastbound. Although the two section has different operators, both has their toll collection integrated between each other.

Rates below is for furthest possible journey along the current closed toll system between Karak and Kuala Terengganu.

Class Type of vehicles Rate (in
Malaysian Ringgit
(RM))
0 Motorcycles, bicycles or vehicles with 2 or less wheels Free
1 Vehicles with 2 axles and 3 or 4 wheels excluding taxis RM 43.27
2 Vehicles with 2 axles and 5 or 6 wheels excluding buses RM 86.54
3 Vehicles with 3 or more axles RM 129.82
4 Taxis RM 21.64
5 Buses RM 43.27

Junction list

The entire expressway was built as a 4-lane

divided expressway
with two lanes for each carriageways. The speed limit for the entire expressway is 110 km/h except at Exit 813B Karak Interchange (90 km/h) and Karak Toll Plaza (60 km/h).

Legend:


State District km Exit Name Destinations Notes
Through to East Coast Expressway
Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway
Pahang Bentong BR Sungai Bentong bridge
77.8 813B Karak I/C FT 2 Jalan Kuantan-Kuala Lumpur – Karak, Manchis, Kuala Pilah
Jalan FELDA Mempaga - FELDA Mempaga 		Western terminus of concurrency with AH141
T/P Karak Toll Plaza
Touch 'n Go
BR Sungai Kelau bridge
Temerloh 89.9 L/B Lanchang L/B Lanchang L/B - Eastbound
90.1 L/B Lanchang L/B Lanchang L/B - Westbound
BR Sungai Jenalik bridge
BR Sungai Senut bridge
99.8 816 Lanchang I/C
Jalan Lanchang
– Lanchang, FELDA Mempaga, Raub, Kuala Lipis, Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre
BR Sungai Teris bridge
BR Railway crossing bridge
126.4 819 Temerloh I/C FT 98 Federal Route 98 – Temerloh, Mentakab, Jerantut, Bera, Taman Negara
Kampung Tebing Tinggi motorcycle ramps C121 Jalan Tebing Tinggi – Kampung Tebing Tinggi, Temerloh, Kampung Paya Jejawi, Sanggang Motorcycles only
From / To east only
BR Sungai Pahang bridge
Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge
Kampung Sanggang Seberang motorcycle ramps C123 Jalan Kampung Seberang – Kampung Sanggang Seberang, Batu Sawar, Rantau Makmur Motorcycles only
From / To west only
RSA Temerloh RSA Temerloh RSA - shell Eastbound
RSA Temerloh RSA Temerloh RSA - shell Westbound
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Eastbound
BR Sungai Jengka bridge
Maran 821 Chenor I/C
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kampus Jengka
BR Sungai Jempul bridge
L/B Maran L/B Maran L/B - Westbound
L/B Maran L/B Maran L/B - Eastbound
BR Sungai Maran bridge
173.8 825 Maran I/C FT 2 Jalan Kuantan-Kuala Lumpur – Maran, Lubuk Paku
BR Sungai Luit bridge
827 Sri Jaya I/C FT 2 Jalan Kuantan-Kuala Lumpur – Sri Jaya, Belimbing, Tasik Chini
Kuantan
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Westbound
RSA Gambang RSA Gambang RSA - Petronas Westbound
RSA Gambang RSA Gambang RSA - Petronas Eastbound
BR Sungai Lepar bridge
BR Sungai Bakapor bridge
BR Sungai Berkelah bridge
BR Sungai Pohoi bridge
BR Sungai Belat bridge
830 Gambang I/C
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang
Gambang East I/C East Coast Expressway East Coast Expressway (Phase 4) – Johor Bahru, Mersing, Rompin, Pekan, Pulau Tioman, Endau Rompin National Park Planned
BR Sungai Padan bridge
L/B Kuantan L/B Kuantan L/B - Westbound
L/B Kuantan L/B Kuantan L/B - Eastbound
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Eastbound
BR Sungai Kuantan bridge
BR Sungai Mabok bridge
238.4 833 Kuantan I/C
FT 231 Jalan Sungai Lembing – Kuantan, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Sungai Lembing, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport
Terengganu
Kemaman
 836 Jabor I/C
FT 101 AH141 Gebeng Bypass – Jabur, Gebeng, Kuantan Port , Cherating , Beserah
Eastern terminus of concurrency with AH141
BR Sungai Perasing bridge
BR Jabur viaduct
Sungai Jabur bridge
RSA Perasing RSA Perasing RSA - shell Accessible to both directions via a directional T interchange
837 Pelabuhan Kuantan I/C Persiaran Pelabuhan Kuantan – Gebeng Bypass, Gebeng, Kuantan Port , Kuantan
839 Cheneh I/C
FT 14 Jerangau–Jabor Highway
– Bandar Chenih Baharu, Bandar Cerul
BR Sungai Cerul bridge
BR Paluh Jenang viaduct
Sungai Paluh Jenang bridge
BR Kemaman viaduct
Sungai Kemaman bridge
BR Pinang viaduct
Sungai Pinang bridge
841 Cukai I/C FT 237 Federal Route 237 – Cukai, Air Putih
BR Sungai Bungkus bridge
L/B Kijal L/B Kijal L/B - Petron Northbound
L/B Kijal L/B Kijal L/B - Petron Southbound
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Southbound
BR Sungai Ibuk bridge
305.4 845 Kijal I/C FT 124 Federal Route 124 – Bandar Sri Bandi, Kijal, Kemasik, Kemaman Port , Terengganu Advance Technical Institute University College (TATI UC)
BR Sungai Cabang bridge
318.8 847 Kerteh I/C T129 Jalan Nyior Cabang – Kemasik, Kerteh, Kerteh Airport
BR Sungai Kerteh bridge
Dungun
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Northbound
332 849 Paka I/C FT 122 Federal Route 122 – Paka, Bandar Ketengah Jaya, Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Pasir Raja
RSA Paka RSA Paka RSA - shell Northbound
RSA Paka RSA Paka RSA - shell Southbound
BR Paka viaduct
Sungai Paka bridge
BR Penyiram viaduct
Sungai Penyiram bridge
348.8 851 Kuala Dungun I/C T118 Jalan Durian Mentangau – Kuala Dungun, Durian Mentangau, Lubuk Pauh
BR Sungai Uma bridge
BR Viaduct
BR Sungai Celir bridge
BR Kampung Pinang Mas viaduct
BR Sungai Luit bridge
365.5 853 Bukit Besi I/C FT 132 Federal Route 132 – Bukit Besi, Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Jerangau, Rantau Abang
BR Sungai Dungun bridge
L/B Bukit Besi L/B Bukit Besi L/B - Northbound
L/B Bukit Besi L/B Bukit Besi L/B - Southbound
Hulu Terengganu
JPJ Enforcement Station
 Southbound
403.7 858 Ajil I/C FT 106 Jalan Ajil-Kuala Berang – Ajil, Wakaf Tapai, Kuala Berang, Jerangau, Kenyir Lake (Jetty)
BR Sungai Terengganu bridge
RSA Ajil RSA Ajil RSA - Southbound
RSA Ajil RSA Ajil RSA - Northbound
BR Sungai Telemong bridge
423.2 862 Telemong I/C
Bukit Payung-Telemung Highway – Kuala Jeneris, Gua Musang, Kenyir Lake, Kuala Telemong, Bukit Payung, Marang, Kenyir Lake (Jetty), Pulau Kapas (Jetty), Terengganu Skill Development Centre College (Kolej TESDEC)
Kuala Nerus
 BR Viaduct
BR Sungai Nerus bridge
865 Kuala Terengganu I/C FT 3 AH18 Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kota Bharu – Kota Bharu, Jerteh, Batu Enam, Bandar Permaisuri (setiu), Pulau Redang (Jetty), Pulau Perhentian (Jetty), Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu, Seberang Takir, Sultan Mahmud Airport , Pulau Duyong
Through to East Coast Expressway East Coast Expressway (Phase 3)
(Under Construction)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lebuh raya: Kempunankah rakyat pantai timur?". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 1998-04-13. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  2. ^
    Berita Harian. Archived from the original
    on 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  3. ^ a b Amir Sarifudin; Yahaya Ahmad; Radhuan Hussain (1999-07-31). "LPT akan dibina secepat mungkin". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  4. ^ a b c Samsor Junet (2001-02-22). "LPT bakal merubah Pantai Timur". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  5. ^ a b Amir Sharifuddin; Zulkiflee Bakar (1999-01-30). "Johor, Terengganu rayu terus bina lebuh raya". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  6. ^ "LAND ACQUIRED FOR EAST COAST HIGHWAY". The Straits Times. 18 October 2000. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Kertas kerja status projek LPT ke kabinet Januari". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 1999-12-13. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  8. ^ Azman Ismail; Zabry Mohamad (2004-08-01). "Pembukaan LPT hari ini dekatkan KL - Kuantan". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  9. ^ "LPT2 siap September 2014". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  10. ^ "Fasa 10 LPT 2 siap ikut jadual - AlloyMtd". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  11. ^ a b "LPT Fasa 2 lewat siap". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  12. ^ "LPT2 siap September 2014". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  13. ^ a b "LPT2 lewat akibat perubahan struktur pembinaan" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  14. ^ "Corporate Profile". Anih Berhad. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  15. ^ "Pembukaan Jajaran Pakej 10, Pakej 11 & Pakej 12". JKR. 2011-08-18. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  16. ^ "Sebahagian LPT 2 dibuka esok - LLM". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  17. ^ "LPT2 Bukit Besi-Paka mula beroperasi". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2014-01-26. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  18. ^ "Jajaran Jabor-persimpangan Ceneh dibuka". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  19. ^ "Sejarah lengkap Lebuhraya Pantai Timur E8" (in Malay). Blog Jalan Raya Malaysia. 2014-09-08. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
  20. ^ "LPT2 officially open to public today". New Straits Times. 2015-01-31. Retrieved 2015-02-03.
  21. ^ "XPDC Teganu Kita 2015 Part 1: Lebuhraya Pantai Timur Fasa 2 E8" (in Malay). Blog Jalan Raya Malaysia. 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  22. ^ "LPT2 kenakan tol bermula Ogos depan" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. 2015-04-28. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  23. ^ Media statement from Malaysian Highway Authority - Accessed on 2015-07-09.
  24. ^ a b "FAQ mengenai kutipan tol di LPT2 E8" (in Malay). Blog Jalan Raya Malaysia. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  25. ^ "LPT2 ragut nyawa lagi, kali ini harimau belang dirempuh MPV". Astro Awani. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  26. ^ "Menteri: Jalan beralun bukan punca kemalangan di LPT2". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  27. ^ "Morning Edition - Terengganu Propose Toll Collection Only After Hari Raya At LPT 2". Retrieved 22 June 2016.[dead YouTube link]
  28. ^ "Toll Fare sticker Plaza Tol K.TERENGGANU". Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  29. ^ "Pembinaan projek LPT3 akan bermula". Sinar Harian. Sinar Harian. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  30. ^ Human factor main cause of accidents on East Coast Expressway P2, says LLM - Accessed on 2015-06-22.

External links

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