West Ipoh Span Expressway Construction Will Begin After 2026

Construction of the West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE) is expected to begin after 2026 once the concessionaire meets all agreement conditions.

Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transport committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the deal was signed last year.

“The expressway, which will be built under a public-private partnership model, is designed to serve as an alternative route to the congested Menora Tunnel stretch of the North-South Expressway,” he told the state assembly.

He was responding to Nga Kor Ming (PH–Kepayang), who asked about WISE’s progress and whether there were delays. Nga also requested updates on the West Coast Expressway (WCE) and its economic impact.

According to Nizar, eight of the 11 WCE sections are already open, with Perak’s portion fully completed. The remaining sections are in Selangor.

He said both WISE and WCE are expected to ease traffic on the NSE, encourage tourism and raise property values along their routes. 

“For WCE, the state government has set up an Economic Growth Committee to coordinate development proposals, especially in the five affected districts which are Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Perak Tengah, Manjung and Larut, Matang and Selama,” Nizar stated.

He added that the WCE would spur economic activity by improving logistics, helping small businesses, and boosting the marketing of agricultural and fisheries products. 

“The enhancement of the economic sector and accessibility through this route is also expected to trigger the growth of new townships,” Nizar concluded.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi previously said the RM6.2 billion WISE project, connecting Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar, could cut NSE traffic by up to 40% and take four years to finish.