SUKE Phase 1 opens on Sept 16, toll-free for a month

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists in Klang Valley will enjoy free one-month access to the Sungai Besi–Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) Phase One operating from noon on Friday (Sept 16), says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The stretch will involve a 16.6km alignment from Cheras-Kajang Interchange to Bukit Antarabangsa Interchange.

The Works Minister said the expressway was expected to disperse traffic up to 36% along the Middle Ring Road 2, Jalan Ampang and Ampang Toll Plaza during peak hours.

He also said travel journeys using the brand-new expression will be reduced from 75 minutes to 20 minutes.

"The government is committed to addressing the congestion issues faced by the citizens in the capital through the benefit of shorter travel distances and reduced carbon emission.

"The completion and opening of SUKE will bring in significant impact towards the effort to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow especially at the east Kuala Lumpur," he said, during the launching ceremony tonight at SUKE Bukit Teratai Toll Plaza here.

READ MORE: SUKE is KL’s new highway with a view

Fadillah also said that SUKE achieved two national records in the Malaysian Book of Records by having the country’s first iconic two-level helicoidal ramp and the tallest segmented box girder (SBG) at the height of 56.4 metres from the ground level.

The SBG stretches above the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line and Cheras-Kajang Expressway (CKE).

Prolintas chairman Datuk Idris Kechot said the construction of SUKE has created great spill-over impacts to the economy.

"We have provided many business and employment opportunities.

"248 local contractors and 10 main consultants have been involved in the construction of the expressway," he said, adding that approximately 10,000 jobs were also created.

As of 30 August, SUKE is at a 98% rate of project progress.

The remaining 7.8km alignment which is still under construction involving Alam Damai Toll Plaza and three more interchanges was expected to complete by the first quarter of 2023.