BANTING (Aug 30): Users of the West Coast Highway (WCE) who go through the Section 1 Toll Plaza (Banting Interchange) here do not need to pay tolls for a month starting at 12.01am on Saturday, Aug 31.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the toll fee exemption is in conjunction with the 67th National Day celebration, in addition to celebrating one year of the implementation of the MyJalan initiative by the government.

"I also want to clarify that this toll-free move is only for Section 1 of the WCE, and does not involve other tolls connected to this highway.

"The implementation of the toll-free gesture will be until Sept 29, 11.59pm," he told reporters after opening Section 1 of the WCE here on Friday.

In the meantime, Nanta said the opening of the 12.5km long highway that connects Jalan Dengkil-Banting (FT31) to the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) can be a catalyst for economic development and progress of the southern region of Selangor, especially for the Kuala Langat area.

He said the highway, which is connected to the SKVE, also provides facilities for residents around Banting, Selangor, to go to major cities in the south of the Klang Valley, such as Putrajaya, Bangi and Kajang, thus improving the quality of life of the people in the area.

"Various development projects are currently being actively implemented around Section 1 of the WCE, which offers planned and integrated development, including small-and-medium-enterprise precincts and industrial hubs, as well as world-class logistics.

"In addition, it can improve the logistics network, especially the transport movement of 'hauliers' that bring goods from major ports such as Port Klang and also the Kuala Lumpur International Airport," he said.

Nanta hopes that the remaining four sections of the highway can be completed within the stipulated period, and expects Section 2 of the highway to be completed in December.

"We also understand from the concessionaire's initial expectations that this highway will receive approximately 10,000 vehicles a day," he said.

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