IJM to Extend New Pantai Expressway by 15KM at RM1.4 Billion – A Major Boost for Klang Valley Connectivity

IJM secures ministry approval for 15km NPE extension and toll rate restructuring — a major step forward in Klang Valley connectivity.

Kuala Lumpur : IJM Corporation Berhad has secured the green light from the Ministry of Works to proceed with the 15-kilometre extension of the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and implement a revised toll structure for its existing expressway. This upcoming expansion, fully funded by IJM’s toll highway division without government subsidies, marks a significant milestone in enhancing urban transportation infrastructure in the Klang Valley.

The new segment will be a fully elevated highway, complete with directional ramps and a new toll plaza, aiming to ease traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and improve connectivity for both commuters and businesses. Serving as a direct route alternative to congested city roads, the NPE extension is projected to significantly enhance daily commutes and support economic growth along major traffic corridors.

Construction of the NPE extension is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with the new stretch expected to be open to the public by 2029. Meanwhile, toll rates for the current stretch of the NPE will remain unchanged until the concession period ends.

Strategically designed to enhance inter-expressway connectivity, the extension will link the Pantai Dalam toll plaza directly to the Jalan Istana interchange via Jalan Syed Putra. This alignment enables seamless integration with three major highways — the current NPE, the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), and the upcoming Laluan Istana-Kiara Expressway (LIKE).

In line with the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Master Plan 2040, the project focuses on improving highway-to-highway transitions to divert through-traffic away from the city centre. Upon completion, the integrated network is expected to reduce up to 40% of traffic from Jalan Bangsar, alleviating pressure on heavily congested city routes, especially during peak hours.

Datuk Lee Chun Fai, Group CEO and Managing Director of IJM, stated that the NPE extension underscores the group’s commitment to boosting mobility and enhancing urban traffic systems in Greater Kuala Lumpur. He highlighted that the project not only aims to decongest key arteries but also supports the daily movement of people and goods by integrating efficiently with public transport and road networks.

In addition to traffic benefits, the RM1.4 billion development is forecasted to generate RM5.6 billion in economic spillovers, catalyzing growth in nearby urban centres like Bangsar South and Pantai Sentral Park. The new expressway segment will feature smart infrastructure technologies, including Malaysia’s advanced multi-lane fast flow tolling, smart CCTV systems, energy-efficient street lighting, and EV fast-charging facilities at a new highway layby.

As a brownfield expansion of IJM’s existing expressway concession, the project aligns with the group’s long-term strategy to strengthen recurring revenue through the development and monetisation of infrastructure assets. Datuk Lee added that extending the NPE concession offers a sustainable financing approach while reinforcing the group’s infrastructure portfolio and future income stability.

By S. Birruntha - May 23, 2025 @ 7:40pm