WCE: Six New Toll Plazas Planned Along Melaka’s 69 KM Stretch

Fresh off its recent success in evacuating Kampung Jawa to complete the final stretch of the West Coast Expressway, Melaka is now preparing for another major upgrade - six new toll entry points that will reshape how traffic moves across the state by 2026.

The state government has confirmed that six new toll plazas will be built along the 69 KM WCE stretch, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving access, especially for heavy vehicles.

State Works, Infrastructure, Public Facilities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mtyheen Kunju Basheer said the Melaka portion of the expressway remains on schedule for completion by the end of 2026.

With the addition, Melaka will have nine highway entry points, supplementing the existing PLUS tolls at Simpang Ampat, Ayer Keroh and Jasin. Hameed acknowledged that placing six tolls within a 69km route may appear unusual, but said it is the most effective way to distribute traffic, which has grown increasingly heavy at the current gateways, particularly Ayer Keroh.

The proposed toll locations include Semabok in Melaka Tengah, as well as Gangsa and Masjid Tanah in Alor Gajah. All sites were selected to improve access for residents and provide smoother routes for heavy vehicles.

Hameed also clarified that Melaka residents will still be able to use a new ring road alignment without paying tolls. He said the project will make travel easier for locals and tourists alike by expanding the state’s road network without disrupting existing neighbourhoods.

The overall development is expected to span about ten years and will require coordination with Negeri Sembilan and Johor. Hameed said the final alignment is ready and will be presented next week for approval from the Ministry of Finance.

Part of the new ring road includes upgrading the Jalan Masjid Tanah to Sungai Udang route. The nearly seven-kilometre stretch will be widened from two lanes to four at a cost of RM300 million, creating a more efficient link between Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah.