Kuala Lumpur's congestion beating plan

Malaysia's highway system is in the process of being improved with the construction of the new Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor (KLS) Expressway. This new link is schedule to open officially in June 2011 and is expected to be completed by April 2011. When the link is in use travel times from capital Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Selangor will be reduced considerably from the 2 hours 30 minutes currently needed to make the journey. The new US$295 million toll road is expected to improve safety and cut congestion. Meanwhile Malaysia's road links with neighbouring Thailand are also to be improved in a joint programme designed by both countries to boost trade and the economy. New infrastructure plans include a road and a tunnel as well as rail links. Five Malaysian states, Penang, Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah and Pera, will be connected with five Thai provinces, Satun, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, through the project. The Thai authorities are working on plans to build toll roads from Sadao in Songkhla to Hat Yai, a bridge across the Golok River in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district and also a tunnel running from Perlis in Malaysia to Satun in Thailand. In addition, a contract worth $181 million has been awarded for the Besraya Eastern Extension of the Sungai Besi Expressway in Kuala Lumpur. The work is planned to be carried out within 36 months.