SUKE freeway formally launched – Cheras-Ampang Section 1 open to public Sept 16, toll-free in first month

The Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) has been formally launched by senior works minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who introduced that the brand new freeway shall be open to the general public tomorrow (September 16), 12.30 pm.

For now, the fully-completed Section 1 shall be accessible. This stretch spans from the unmissable signature Cheras-Kajang interchange to Bukit Antarabangsa. The portion from Sri Petaling and Kesas (the place Endah Parade is) to Cheras-Kajang will open at a later date.

The toll fare for the SUKE freeway has but to be introduced, nevertheless passage is toll-free for one month from its opening tomorrow. The SUKE has three toll plazas – Alam Damai, Bukit Teratai and Ampang. The latter two are within the first section that’s 16.6 km lengthy, that’s now open.

SUKE has 14 interchanges alongside its 24.4 km fundamental line size (57.7 km if one consists of all of the interchanges), and these are Sri Petaling, Sungai Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras-Kajang, Cheras-Hartamas, Bukit Teratai, Tasik Tambahan, Permai, Kosas, Pekan Ampang, Ampang Level, Ulu Kelang, Hillview and Bukit Antarabangsa. As talked about, the stretch that’s now open is from Cheras-Kajang (on the Grand Saga, close to Plaza Phoenix) to Bukit Antarabangsa.

The MRR2 different is linked to the stated ring street, Kesas (at Sri Petaling), KL-Seremban Freeway, Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), Grand Saga, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Freeway (AKLEH) and the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE). The longer term East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) can even be linked.

Concessionaire Prolintas (which additionally has AKLEH, Guthrie, LKSA and the upcoming DASH in its freeway portfolio) says that SUKE is an efficient site visitors dispersal answer for the japanese a part of KL that’s projected to alleviate site visitors on the MRR2 by 30%, Jalan Ampang by 36% and Jalan Loke Yew by 12% throughout peak hours.

SUKE isn’t simply helpful, however it’s distinctive. The 90% elevated freeway has a few first-in-Malaysia features and a pleasant viewpoint. We’ve already detailed Malaysia’s first helicoidal ramp, a spiral that goes two loops on the Cheras-Kajang interchange earlier than becoming a member of the freeway. This was performed out of necessity – full story here.

You’ll be becoming a member of the SUKE at its highest part. At 56.4 metres tall, equal to an 18-storey constructing, that is the third highest elevated street in Malaysia, after Penang’s Bukit Kukus paired road and the Rawang Bypass. The elevated segmented field girder that spans the crossing can also be the very best superstructure thus far in Malaysia – once more, this was born out of necessity.

As you head in direction of Ampang from the CKE interchange, the KL skyline is in your left, and the hills are in your proper. At Tasik Tambahan, an elevated website on the hill has been earmarked for an R&R with F&B retailers, type of like a “SUKE Lookout Level” with a panoramic view of KL.

One other distinctive function is on the Jalan Ampang space, the place the bifurcated (cut up) construction design permits daylight to succeed in the Ampang River, which has additionally been straightened. Daylight is important for a wholesome river ecosystem, so it is a good transfer even when it prices extra. Below the freeway construction is a linear park with a 1.6 km jogging path.

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One other distinctive SUKE function is the imposing double-deck construction at Alam Damai in Cheras, the place every tier heads in a special route. This construction is in Section 2, which can open at a later date.

The SUKE freeway concession started on December 25, 2014 and can finish on December 24, 2069, spanning a interval of 55 years.

Outdoors of the SUKE, Prolintas has additionally upgraded the Jalan Ampang stretch that runs under the brand new freeway, in addition to rebuilt buildings affected by the development. Roads within the hilly and accident-prone Hulu Langat space have been additionally upgraded with a brand new system and fewer extreme gradient – we’ve detailed all of the impact-minimising and CSR initiatives here, together with eco-friendly measures similar to Inexperienced Constructing Index (GBI) options for the toll plazas and full LED lighting (SUKE is 100% lighted) here.

For extra on the signature helicoidal ramp, the freeway’s highest level and the scenic future hillside R&R – click here. Does the SUKE profit you? If sure, how does it slot in your each day commute and what do you consider the time gained vs the toll fare? Cheras and Kajang residents, what’s your view?