KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 – The KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway, also known as LATAR, which links Kuala Lumpur at Templer’s Park with Ijok in Kuala Selangor, provides a faster and safer alternative route to Teluk Intan, Manjung, Sitiawan, Lumut and to west coast of Perak.
Since opening on June 23, 2011, the 33Km expressway has recorded 25.8 million users.
Amran Amir, Chief Executive Officer of the concession company, KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd, said LATAR was part of the Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road which connects to the major road network in the Klang Valley.
“LATAR provides connectivity for trade, commerce and tourism. It also serves as a catalyst for new housing schemes.
“LATAR is also a strategic alternative gateway to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia,” he told Bernama.
During weekends and holiday season, LATAR captures a larger number of users due to the tourist spots along Kuala Selangor.
“Currently, LATAR records a maximum volume of 60,000 users a day, especially during weekends. For the coming Hari Raya break, 70,000 motorists are expected to enjoy travelling during the peak period of the holidays,” he said.
Amran said the traffic has been identified to come from users who want to bypass the congestion at the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and surrounding areas of the expressway through four interchanges.
The LATAR has four interchanges and three toll plazas on each side of the expressway.
The interchanges provide faster and easy access to the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, PLUS’ North-South Expressway and the West Coast Highway expected to be completed in 2019.
The West Coast Expressway, which connects Taiping to Banting, is to be undertaken by West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Kumpulan Europlus Bhd.
“By year-end, there are expectations of more than 50 per cent increase in LATAR users who use Touch n Go card as a mode of toll payment.
“The card also serves as a faster and more efficient use of the expressway,” he said.
Amran said traffic flow would further increase with more property developments and population explosion in townships along LATAR.
– BERNAMA
