KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The East Coast Expressway Phase Three (LPT3) was proposed under a public-private partnership (PPP) due to financial constraints faced by the federal government, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The project will be implemented through a Request for Proposal 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 (Aidilfitri) and holidays.
“Soon, the East Coast Rail Link will be completed, providing an alternative for East Coast residents travelling to the Klang Valley. Once the Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Expressway and Lingkaran Tengah Utama 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.
Ahmad added that the expressway will complement these upcoming transport links by providing East Coast users with more travel options.
He was responding to Dungun MP Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli's query on the criteria for implementing LPT3 through PPP and the project timeline.
LPT3 will involve a 122km alignment with a dual two-lane carriageway, stretching from Kampung Gemuruh in Kuala Terengganu to Tunjung in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
The expressway is expected to have five interchanges, with its development cost estimated at RM9.8 billion based on a 2022 study.
Ahmad noted that 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.
Similarly, the concession period, toll system, and toll gantries have yet to be determined.
