When we think of tolled expressways or highways, we often picture long, multi-lane roads. For instance, the North-South Expressway, which was finished in 1994, spans 772km and links Bukit Kayu Hitam near Thailand with Johor Baru near Singapore.
On the other hand, Malaysia’s first tolled highway, opened in 1966, is only 20km long and connects Tanjung Malim Selangor with Slim River Perak.
Is there an even shorter tolled expressway in the country that is still in use today? This is the question that arises.
Verdict:
TRUE
The Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway is only 7.9km long and connects Jalan Sultan Ismail in the heart of the city to the suburbs of Taman Ampang Utama. It is also the country’s first intra-urban elevated highway.
However, if you count tolled tunnels, the Storm Management Road Tunnel (SMART) is even shorter at only 4km. It was completed in 2007 and was designed to alleviate traffic and address flash floods in Kuala Lumpur. It was the world’s first dual-function tunnel.
Regardless of their length, it is hard to imagine Malaysia without these essential roadways that save time, connect cities, and span states. Traffic congestion would be unbearable, and traveling back to the village during the festive season would almost be impossible without them.
So the next time you’re driving on one of the nation’s many expressways, remember that it’s not just about the destination but also the journey and whether you have enough balance on your Touch ‘n Go card.
References:
1. https://www.prolintas.com.my/akleh/
2. https://www.klia2.info/trips/highways/plus-expressway-north-south-expressway/
3. https://www.water.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/430
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanjung_Malim–Slim_River_Highway
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expressways_and_highways_in_Malaysia
