Existed: 1974 – present East end: Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur Constructed 1974 | West end: Klang, Selangor Length 45 km | |
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History: Completed in 1977, tolled segment completed 1992–1993 Primary
destinations: Port Klang, Sungai Rasau, I-City, Padang Jawa, Shah Alam, Batu Tiga, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur | ||
Federal Highway, or Lebuhraya Persekutuan in Malay (or sometimes called "Federal", "Highway Persekutuan" or "Highway Federal" by Klang Valley citizens) is a Malaysian controlled-access highway connecting the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and Klang, Selangor. The highway starts from Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Selangor. It is the busiest highway in Klang Valley during rush hour from/to Kuala Lumpur. The Federal Highway is coded as Federal Route 2.
Contents
- Map of Federal Hwy Malaysia
- History
- Benefits of the highway
- Upgrading of the Subang Airport Interchange and the Majlis Link
- Features
- Landmarks
- Other features
- Restricted routes for heavy vehicles
- Motorcycle lane hazards
- Traffic congestion area along the highway
- Notable events
- Tolls
- Electronic Toll Collection
- Batu Tiga toll plaza BTT
- References
Map of Federal Hwy, Malaysia
History
The history of the highway started after the separation of Singapore from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, when the Malaysian government decided to make Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) as Malaysia's new national port as a replacement of Singapore. As a result, the government planned to build a highway connecting Port Klang to Kuala Lumpur by upgrading the former Kuala Lumpur-Klang Highway (Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Klang) (opened to traffic on 14 January 1959) to a full motorway by replacing the existing at-grade intersections with interchanges, making the Federal Highway as Malaysia's first expressway. The Kuala Lumpur-Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Scheme was implemented in 1974 under the surviliance of the Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR). This scheme includes the Kuala Lumpur Inner Ring Road, Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1, Jalan Syed Putra and Federal Highway Route 2 (Kuala Lumpur-Petaling Jaya). Funded by a loan granted by the World Bank, the upgrade works for the Federal Highway from Subang Airport Interchange to Kuala Lumpur started from 1974 until 1977. The highway was originally a 4-lane limited access highway except for the Petaling Jaya stretch where it became 6-lane highway. However, in 1992 PLUS Expressways, the concession holder of North-South Expressway has upgraded the entire highway to a 6-lane highway with two toll plazas, Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau. The 6-lane toll highway had begun in operation on 11 May 1993. The highway handles incredible volumes of traffic there is significant congestion at more or less any time of day.
The section of the highway from Subang Jaya to Kota Darul Ehsan near Petaling Jaya are paved with asphalt.
The exit number system similar to toll expressways was introduced in 2007 at Federal Highway; thus making the Federal Highway as the first and currently the only federal expressway with expressway exit numbering system.
Benefits of the highway
The highway serves as the main highway of Klang Valley conurbation since it connects major cities of the conurbation including Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. However, the increase of traffic as a result of the population increase peaked the capacity of the highway in the mid-1990s and therefore massive daily traffic jams along Federal Highway are common especially early in the morning and late afternoon. As a result, the government began to build new expressways to reduce the congestion of Federal Highway.
Upgrading of the Subang Airport Interchange and the Majlis Link
The upgrading of the Subang Airport Interchange including main link of Subang-Kelana Jaya Link from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Highway (route 15) of Federal Highway (route 2) to Persiaran Kewajipan near Menara Mesiniaga began at the end of 2005 and the construction of the new Majlis Link in September 2005. Both project are led by Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR). While the main contractor are the Ahmad Zaki Resources Berhad (AZRB) and Ho Hup Construction Company Berhad (HHCC). The Majlis Link was completed in March 2007 while the Subang Airport Interchange was completed in September 2009.
Features
Landmarks
Other features
Restricted routes for heavy vehicles
During workdays or peak hours. There is a restricted route at the Federal Highway from Sungai Rasau to Subang. Heavy vehicles (except buses and tankers) with laden and unladen heavy vehicles weighing 10,000 kg or more are not allowed to enter the expressway between 6:30 am until 9:30 am on Monday to Friday (except public holidays). A compound fine will be issued to heavy vehicles which flout the rule.
Motorcycle lane hazards
The Federal Highway is well known as the first expressway in Malaysia to have motorcycle lanes. However, the motorcycle lanes in the Federal Highway are known for its dangers towards motorcyclists, such as dark, narrow and poorly maintained lanes and ramps, dangerous sharp corners, and the nature of the motorcycle lanes themselves to be vulnerable spots for robberies. It is due to the fact that the motorcycle lanes are originally intended for bicycle riders, with the design speed limit as low as 60 km/h.
On 29 August 2016, the Ministry of Works (MOW) has allocated RM 3.13 milion to upgrade motorcycle lanes on the Federal Highway in areas that fall under its care. The allocation would cover costs for brightening dark areas, installing pump houses at flood-prone areas, painting road lines and tunnel walls, lane-widening, building overhead ramps, additional signage and repair of intersections.
On 21 October 2016, during the announcement of the 2017 Budget, Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak announced that RM29 million will be allocated to upgrading the motorcycle lane on the Federal Highway. This includes enhancing the drainage system (to prevent flooding), as well as building two overhead ramps, as part of efforts to make it safer for motorcyclists who use the route.
Traffic congestion area along the highway
There are several areas along the highway regarded as a congested area:-
Notable events
Tolls
The tolls have been collected by a private concession company, PLUS Expressways, since 11 May 1993.
Electronic Toll Collection
As part of an initiative to facilitate smoother passage at the Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau Toll Plazas on Federal Highway. On 10 July 2014, the highway operator, PLUS Expressways, announced that all toll transactions at both toll plazas would be conducted electronically via PLUSMiles cards, Touch 'n Go cards or SmartTAGs starting 1 September 2014. Besides being more convenient to Federal Highway users and reducing jams at toll plazas caused by cash-paying motorists, this move may help reducing risks of robberies at toll plazas faced by toll attendants, as there will be less cash will be available. However, on 30 August 2014, the implementation of the ETCs at Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plaza was postponed by the federal government.
Since 22 November 2014, all toll transactions at Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plazas of the Federal Highway have been conducted electronically via PLUSMiles cards, Touch 'n Go cards or SmartTAGs.