Highway Concession Review Study Ready In December - Shaziman

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- A study on highway concessions that entailed a review of toll rates is expected to be completed in December, said Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor.

He said among the proposals received by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) included a call for the government to take over expressways from concession holders.

Shaziman said EPU would table the findings of the study, which started last year, to the National Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"Although new toll rates may not be implemented immediately after the study is concluded, the revision will be a win-win situation for all," he told reporters after opening the first phase of the Senai-Pasir Gudang-Desaru Expressway here on Thursday.

On the new expressway, he said motorists can start using the 77km expressway, which linked the west and east coast of Johor, from tomorrow for free for one month.

Concession holder Senai Desaru Expressway Bhd is still studying the toll rates along the expressway that cuts travelling time from Senai to Desaru from two hours to 45 minutes.

The first phase of the expressway is from Senai to Ulu Tiram for a distance of 23.1km while the second phase from Ulu Tiram to Cahaya Baru, Masai and Pasir Gudang (26.9km).

The construction of the second phase of the RM1.4 billion project from Cahaya Baru to Bandar Penawar and Desaru (27km) is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year.

Present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

-- BERNAMA