The Maju Expressway (MEX) (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway (KLPE) and KL–KLIA Dedicated Expressway) Maju Expressway (Malay: Lebuhraya Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya) is an expressway network in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The 26 km (16 mi)-long expressway links the Kuala Lumpur City Centre with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Selangor. The expressway is a backbone of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) area.[1]

Expressway 20 shield}}
Expressway 20
Maju Expressway
(Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway)
(KL–KLIA Dedicated Expressway)
மஜூ விரைவுச்சாலை
Route information
Maintained by Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd
Length26 km (16 mi)
Existed2004–present
HistoryCompleted on 5 December 2007
Major junctions
North endKuala Lumpur
Kampung Pandan Interchange
Major intersectionsKuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1
East–West Link Expressway East–West Link Expressway
East–West Link Expressway Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway
New Pantai Expressway New Pantai Expressway
Shah Alam Expressway Shah Alam Expressway
FT 3215 Jalan Seri Kembangan
North–South Expressway Central Link Putrajaya Link
South endCyberjaya
Putrajaya Interchange
Location
CountryMalaysia
Primary
destinations
Kuala Lumpur
Salak South
Sri Petaling
Bukit Jalil
Putrajaya
Cyberjaya
Highway system

The Kilometre Zero is located at Kampung Pandan Interchange, Kuala Lumpur, just outside the Tun Razak Exchange.

History

edit
 
Heading to Kuchai Lama Interchange
 
Heading to Bukit Jalil Interchange
 
Abandoned Maju Expressway near Cyberjaya

Construction of Maju Expressway started on 6 December 2004 and completed on 5 December 2007. It was open to motorists on 13 December 2007. This expressway provided fast and convenient connectivity between Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and Putrajaya – the new Malaysian Government Administrative Centre, Cyberjaya – the core of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and KLIA.[1]

MEX is operated by Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd (MESB), the concessionaire that has been awarded a 33-year concession to operate the dual carriageway.[1]

Extending 26 km in its first phase, MEX is designated as the Protocol Expressway that links Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, KLIA and LCCT with Kuala Lumpur. MEX reduce traveling time between Putrajaya to Kuala Lumpur from about 60 minutes to 30 minutes, or half the previous travelling time with five interchanges: Kampung Pandan, Salak South, Kuchai Lama, Bukit Jalil and Putrajaya Utama (Putrajaya Main).[1]

Seri Kembangan interchange (Exit 2004A) began operations at 13 January 2016, providing access from MEX to Seri Kembangan (formerly Serdang), Puchong and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).[2]

Maju Expressway was planned to extend to KLIA by Dec 2019 and the route will be 18 km-long, three-lane dual carriageway and commence at Putrajaya Main Interchange.[3]The extension was 89% completed as at March 2023 but due to cashflow issue the concessionaire is not able to complete the construction of the highway.

Controversial issues

edit

Noise and cracks at Sri Petaling

edit

The development stage of the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway created a controversy due to the effects of the construction to the houses of the residents in Sri Petaling.[4] There were several cracks reported to some houses, fueling protests among the Sri Petaling residents against the construction of the expressway.

According to the residents, the expressway was reported to be built too near to residential houses, which was claimed by Sri Petaling residents as violating the expressway construction standards.[4] The expressway which was built too near to the residential areas (only 2 m from residential houses) also causes concerns about noise pollution as well as safety issues that would be caused by the expressway.[5]

Despite the complaints and protests by the residents, the Malaysian Minister of Works, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu insisted that sound barriers would be installed along the Sri Petaling section and the Sri Petaling flyover would be made higher to reduce noise pollution.

Last-minute motorcycle ban on the expressway

edit

On 31 January 2008, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu officially banned all motorcycles from using the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway,[6] which was said due to "safety reasons" due to the so-called "limited space" on the expressway. Ironically, the double-decked Kerinchi Link of the Sprint Expressway which was almost similar in terms of design (except for the double-deck design) is allowed to be used by all motorcyclists. Originally, motorcyclists were used to be allowed on the expressway and both Putrajaya and Salak toll plazas included motorcycle lanes.

Several weeks before the official ban, there were some reported cases of motorcyclists being chased away from the expressway by the concessionaire staff. The last-minute ban fueled anger among motorcyclists especially in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and viewed as a discrimination against Malaysian motorcyclists. Even with motorcycle ban, there are less driver travelling on this expressway.

On 6 June 2008, the motorcycle ban was lifted by the new Minister of Works, Datuk Ir. Mohd Zin Mohamed as an effort to encourage people to use motorcycles as a more fuel-economic alternative to cars.[7] The decision was made as a result of the recent Malaysian fuel price hike where the price of RON97 petrol was increased from RM1.92 to RM2.70.

Features

edit
  • The expressway provides Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS) that comprises vehicle detectors and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.[8]
  • Emergency telephones and Variable Message Signs (VMS)[8]
  • MEX Ronda patrol ready to aid drivers who require assistance on the expressway.[8]
  • Entire Expressway is fully lit at night which contributes to driving comfort and safety.[8]
  • 90 km/h speed limit[9]
  • Many flyovers along the expressways including Tun Razak, Salak South and Sri Petaling–Bukit Jalil.
  • Long straight sections between Bukit Jalil and Seri Kembangan.
  • Views of Kuala Lumpur skyline from Salak South.

Tolls

edit

The Maju Expressway uses opened toll systems.

Electronic Toll Collections

edit

As part of an initiative to facilitate faster transaction at the Salak South, Seri Kembangan and Putrajaya Toll Plaza, all toll transactions at three toll plazas on the Maju Expressway have been conducted electronically via Touch 'n Go cards or SmartTAGs since 13 January 2016.[10]Contactless credit and debit cards using the MyDebit, Visa and Mastercard network are accepted for toll payments since 3 August 2023, marking the first Malaysian toll expressway to support contactless cards for toll payments.[11]

Toll fares

edit

[12]

Class Types of vehicles Rate
(in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Salak Selatan Seri Kembangan Putrajaya
0 Motorcycles
(Vehicles with two axles and two wheels)
Free
1 Private Cars
(Vehicles with two axles and three or four wheels (excluding taxis and buses))
2.00 2.20 3.50
2 Vans and other small goods vehicles
(Vehicles with two axles and five or six wheels (excluding buses))
4.00 4.40 7.00
3 Large Trucks
(Vehicles with three or more axles (excluding buses))
6.00 6.60 10.50
4 Taxis 1.00 1.10 1.80
5 Buses 1.50 2.20 2.50

Interchanges

edit
Km Exit Interchange To Remarks
  Maju Expressway
0
2001
Kampung Pandan Interchange

Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1

North
Jalan Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Jalan Ampang


Kampung Pandan Roundabout

West
Jalan Davis
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Bukit Bintang
City Centre

East
Jalan Kampung Pandan
Kampung Pandan
Taman Maluri

South
Jalan Tun Razak
Cheras
Jalan Chan Sow Lin
Multi Level Stacked Interchange
Entry & Exit ramps at Jalan Tun Razak and Kampung Pandan Roundabout
view map
Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1
DBKL border limit
   Maju Expressway Maju Expressway
(Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway)
(Touch 'n Go, MyRFID and SmartTAG ETC only)
Start/End of expressway
Maju Expressway border limit
  Maju Expressway
1
Tun Razak Flyover
Tun Razak Flyover Start/End of flyover
Sungai Kerayong bridge
Start/End of six-lane carriageway
  Salak South toll plaza   North bound
Salak South toll plaza
TnG POS Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID SmartTAG Touch 'n Go TnG POS
Opened toll systems
Pay toll
(Accepts electronic toll payment (Touch 'n Go, MyRFID and SmartTAG) only)
Salak South Flyover Start/End of flyover
Salak South Flyover Entry ramps at   East–West Link Expressway East–West Link Expressway (to Putrajaya only)
view map
Salak South Flyover Start/End of separated flyover
Salak South Flyover
Sungai Kerayong bridge
2003
Kuchai Lama Interchange
  East–West Link Expressway Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway

North
  New Pantai Expressway Kuchai Lama
  New Pantai Expressway Petaling Jaya
  East–West Link Expressway Cheras
Interchange
Entry & Exit ramps at Jalan Kuchai Lama (to Putrajaya only)
view map
Salak South Flyover Start/End of separated flyover
Salak South Flyover Start/End of flyover
  Maju Expressway
--
Sri Petaling–Bukit Jalil Flyover Start/End of flyover
2004
Bukit Jalil Interchange
  Shah Alam Expressway Shah Alam Expressway

East
Kompleks Sukan Negara
Bukit Jalil
Sri Petaling
  FT 28 Cheras
  FT 28 Ampang
  East Coast Expressway   FT 2   AH141 Kuantan
Interchange
Entry & Exit ramps at   Shah Alam Expressway Shah Alam Expressway
view map
Sri Petaling–Bukit Jalil Flyover
Sri Petaling–Bukit Jalil Flyover Start/End of flyover
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
FT Kuala Lumpur–Selangor border
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Petaling district border
  Maju Expressway
--
  Maju Expressway
--
2004A Seri Kembangan Interchange   FT 3215 Seri Kembangan
  FT 3215 Serdang
  FT 3215 Puchong
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)  
Trumpet interchange with toll plaza
(Seri Kembangan Toll Plaza: from/to Kuala Lumpur only. Accepts Touch 'n Go, MyRFID and SmartTAG ETC only.)
Seri Kembangan viaduct
  Seri Kembangan Rest and Service Area             South bound
  Seri Kembangan Rest and Service Area             North bound
Petaling–Sepang district border
SKVE viaduct
  Maju Expressway
--
Putrajaya–Cyberjaya viaduct
  Maju Expressway
--
   Maju Expressway Maju Expressway
(Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway)
(Touch 'n Go, MyRFID and SmartTAG ETC only)
Maju Expressway border limit
  Maju Expressway
--
2005 Putrajaya Interchange   North–South Expressway Central Link Putrajaya Link

West
  North–South Expressway Central Link   AH2 North–South Expressway Central Link
Shah Alam
Putra Heights
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)  
  North–South Expressway Northern Route   AH2 Ipoh
  North–South Expressway Southern Route   AH2 Johor Bahru

East
Putrajaya
Cyberjaya
Dengkil
Salak Tinggi
Nilai
Trumpet interchange
Entry & Exit ramps from Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, KLIA (via   North–South Expressway Central Link   AH2 North–South Expressway Central Link)
view map
   Maju Expressway Maju Expressway
(Putrajaya–KLIA Expressway)
Under construction
  Putrajaya toll plaza  
Maju Expressway operation office
South bound
Putrajaya North toll plaza
TnG POS Touch 'n Go SmartTAG MyRFID SmartTAG Touch 'n Go TnG POS
Opened toll systems
Pay toll
(Accepts electronic toll payment Touch 'n Go, MyRFID and SmartTAG) only)
2006 Cyberjaya Interchange Cyberjaya Under Planning
2007 Dengkil Interchange   FT 31 Dengkil
  FT 31 Banting
Under Planning
   Maju Expressway Maju Expressway
(Putrajaya–KLIA Expressway)
Under construction
2008 KLIA Expressway Interchange   North–South Expressway Central Link   FT 26 KLIA Expressway

North
  North–South Expressway Central Link   AH2 North–South Expressway Central Link
Ipoh
Kuala Lumpur
Johor Bahru
Seremban

South
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)  
Sepang
Bandar Enstek
Sepang International Circuit
Under construction

Southbound only

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "About Mex - Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd". www.mex.com.my.
  2. ^ "MEX Seri Kembangan interchange now operational". 14 January 2016.
  3. ^ "MEX II - Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd". www.mex.com.my.
  4. ^ a b Safety, Noise Barrier Walls For Section Of KL-Putrajaya Expressway - Bernama.com. Accessed on 1 February 2008
  5. ^ KL-PUTRAJAYA ELEVATED HIGHWAY 2 METRES AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL HOUSES - sripetaling.net. Accessed on 2 February 2008.
  6. ^ Bikes banned on expressway - The Star. Accessed on 1 February 2008.
  7. ^ Penunggang motosikal boleh guna lebuh raya Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya - Utusan Malaysia, 6 June 2008.
  8. ^ a b c d "Services - Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd". www.mex.com.my.
  9. ^ "Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd - MEX". www.mex.com.my.
  10. ^ "10 Klang Valley toll plazas to go cash-free next week - Metro News - The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  11. ^ "MEX first highway in Malaysia to accept credit and debit cards at toll booths; 1.3 seconds to clear payment". Malay Mail. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Toll Rates - Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd". www.mex.com.my.
edit