There will soon be a new highway in Perak, and it’s called the West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE). Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said today that the federal government has approved the WISE, a 60 km road from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar that bypasses the North South Highway’s Menora Tunnel stretch.
Saarani said that the cabinet approved the proposal yesterday and the WISE will be a private finance initiative (PFI), which means that a private company will fund the project in exchange for a concession – no government funds will be needed, Sinar Harian reported.
The Perak MB explained that WISE will complete the network of highways in the state, which frequently faces bad congestion, especially on the PLUS’ Menora Tunnel stretch. Currently, motorists have no other choice unless they take the narrow old trunk road from Sungai Siput to Chemor.
“If stuck due to an accident in the tunnel or below (the trunk road), people will have no option. But with WISE, they can exit at Kuala Kangsar and head straight to Gopeng (to continue to the PLUS), or exit at Changkat Jering and take the West Coast Expressway,” he illustrated.
Last year, the Perak state government approved the proposal for the bypass road, which is also described as an effort to reduce the risk of deadly accidents. The steep descend from the Menora Tunnel to the Ipoh toll has seen its fair share of accidents through the years.
Those who frequently travel from KL to the north, what do you think of this new highway – wise idea?
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
The Menora Tunnel is the funniest tunnel ever built in Bolehland. Drivers on the highway are out of luck if there is an accident in the tunnel.
Let’s share how long you have to wait to get through the tunnel.
It’s a wonderful tunnel. Accident do happen by accident and by carelessness. Good thing we hv a new alternative… It’s not a funny tunnel. I like the scenes and it help connect kk to Ipoh. Those folks in kk loves it.. I m one of them
Yes. I love how clueless people who probably never even been to Gopeng or KK love to talk as if they are such an expert about stuff they don’t know. This expressway is necessary. Perak has been abandoned for decades anyway due to pathetic infrastructure. I am happy that Perak has had several big projects recently. It has always been Selamgor, KL, Penang, Johor that received the most infrastructure projects all these while. I am glad we are now seeing many other states getting many big projects like WCE & WISE in Perak, the ECRL that will cover Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pan Borneo Highway for Sabah & Sarawak. After decades of abandonement by Mahathir & Abdullah we are finally seeing some infrastructure investments in other 2nd tier states.
Pan Borneo highway… I wonder anybody will do a review on a road trip across Borneo.. wee might be a good adventure tourism.. hmm.
I bet you just obtained ur driving license and need to ask your dad permission everytime to his drive car LOL
Have been driving since 1988. I witness by my own eyes the Perak river crossing built by sumitono gumi construction company. Seen how the highway from kk to changkat jering transform commuting from kk to Taiping especially thru Bukit berapit. Those who started driving before this north south highway would appreciate how much easier these highway makes driving and commuting from town to town. Driving in old trunk road need skill, concentration and knowledge of the route.
Anwar menang, Wise approved
Syukur alhamdulillah trimekaseh warga pengundi2 PH BN. anda sume memang Wise
What happen to mansuh all tolls promise? Sudah dicapati again?
They just add another one more toll for us to pay
WISE when is xpected to b built, after the nex election?
Very good idea. Please complete it as soon as possible.
Malaysia is expert in tar road.
Thinking add new route may reduce the traffic.
But are we not ready yet for bullet train?
An alternative way to reduce traffic or carbon
Can read or or not? Reducing bottleneck isn’t the same as reducing traffic. It’s a traffic flow management
We have a long way to go….try ask the ministers how many even understand what carbon footprint is. After having spent billions on electric train lines up to Pdg Besar, the frequency of ETS is still low. KTMB cannot be allowed to monopolise. Let there be competitions like airlines then probably the public get better value and services. Other countries have successfully done it.
Bullet train is a waste of money for such a small country with such a small population like Malaysia. Even in China they cant break even with a population of 1.4 billion people. U expect Malaysia with 33.5 million can break even? Yeah get real. It depends on where the location is as well. KL-Singapore might be a good idea as there are high probability of high demand over there. KL-Ipoh maybe, but even then it is a risky bet. Let alone you expect to build HSR from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar. Stop dreaming for a bit.
How to be rich in Msia.
Step 1.
Topple the gov and anyone opposing GST, and abolishment of concessions.
Step 2.
Kawtim with politicians.
Step 3.
Be the concessionaire.
Step 4.
Continue increasing toll fees every year.
Step 5.
Laugh at everyone and relax while everyone fights each other.
Add one more step.
Step 6
After laughing at the rakyat, laugh all the way to the bank.
Nice! 180-240KM/hr around 20min can reached
Good project and give me a little project.Tq.
How about toll-free road? Central Spine Road that connects Karak to Kelantan is free.
Proton saga 2018 CVT manual for sale RM 19,000/-
By now, kl- ipoh should be 6 lanes, already.
Yup…I sokong
WISE should from Kuala Kangsar all the way to Tapah interchange to avoid the Gua Tempurung stretch as well.
Brilliant idea by the current Perak Government.
Jauh lebih bermanafaat daripada jambatan Bagan Datuk..
Another PFI work that make rich the consessionaire and Government just make all thing ease… Government task, just sign the approval, and let the people pay the rest.. And the rest of life unfortunately… Where was the tax already PAID?…
Another PFI work that make rich the consessionaire and Government just make all thing ease… Government task, just sign the approval, and let the people pay the rest.. And the rest of life unfortunately… Where was the tax already PAID?…
Good that now it is approve….but I would suggest that instead of exiting kuala kangsar…it would better to exit at Beruas (WCE)…and then they can proceed to changkat jering (PLUS)…thereby avoiding another climb at Bukit Berapit….
Instead of enforcing the law against overloaded trucks, speeding, improper maintenance and no mandatory brake checks, we build another highway? Is it really so hard to marshall JPJ and PDRM to do this? In the 90’s there always used to be a speed trap on the down track after the tunnels heading towards Kuala Kangsar. Nowadays takde. Similarly on the Ipoh side now the toll plaza has been removed, surely there can be some form of enforcement. Ridiculous the amounts of money that will be spent on building roads (and the environmental cost) instead of enforcing the law.
I say go for it. Build the hiway n they will come use it. Kenot tahan maa jem n eksiden trowong menora. Especially during the holidays n cuti raya cina India melayu mampoih brasap juboq layan jem.
Please complete wce first before make another promise. It is long waited project.
It’s a very good proposal to have WISE Expressway.
Looking forward to use the highway.
Terowong Menora dibina tahun 80an lagi, sebelum ada Plus Highway lagi. Eloklah kalau ada jln alternatif.
Why not build a new road only buses & lorries can use so that the highway is not congested everyday from ipoh to KL
as kid trip from klang to kampung padang rengas perak will start depart at 8 am and reach at 7.30 pm with several stops especially at pau tg malim .after highway NEPlus highway was finish it can take 4 to 5 hours only. what a memory and appreciate others doing heavy jobs especially tunneling through the heavy forest.