KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The East Coast Expressway Phase 3 (LPT3) was proposed under a public-private partnership (PPP) due to financial constraints faced by the Federal Government, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan.
He said the project would be implemented through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, with the successful bidder bearing the full development cost.
“Currently, the route to the East Coast only experiences congestion during peak periods such as Hari Raya and holidays.
“Soon, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will be completed, providing an alternative for East Coast residents travelling to the Klang Valley. Once the Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Expressway (KBKK) and Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) Expressway are completed, they will offer another option, making LPT3 the third alternative,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the expressway would complement these upcoming transport links by providing East Coast users with more travel options.
Ahmad was responding to a question from Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN-Dungun) on the criteria for implementing LPT3 through PPP and the project timeline.
He said the LPT3 project would involve a 122-kilometre alignment with a dual two-lane carriageway, stretching from Kampung Gemuruh in Kuala Terengganu to Tunjung in Kota Bharu.
The expressway is expected to have five interchanges, with its development cost estimated at RM9.8 billion based on a 2022 study.
He said the toll rate for LPT3 had yet to be finalised and would depend on factors including construction costs, financing, operations and maintenance expenses, projected traffic volume and the concession period.
Ahmad added that the concession period, toll system and toll gantries had yet to be determined.
