ECRL will resolve traffic congestion during festive seasons once it is completed in 2026

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is expected to solve traffic congestion on the east coast, especially during the festive seasons, once completed by the end of 2026, said Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the project will make it easier for people to travel back to their hometown, as well as reduce the travelling time between the east and west coasts of the peninsula, from more than seven hours to around four hours.

“For those returning to the east coast, they would have to bear with the heavy congestion at the moment.”

“We hope that the congestion problem will be solved with the construction of the ECRL, which is expected to be completed in 2026.”

“It will only take four hours for them to travel from Kelantan to Gombak and vice-versa,” he was quoted as saying by The Star at the Aidilfitri Open House of Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi in Saujana yesterday (3 May).

Meanwhile, Dr Wee said that the traffic situation on all main roads nationwide has been smooth and under control so far, despite heavy congestion in certain areas.

“For now, no major accidents have been reported and we hope the public will continue to be careful on the road,” he said.

He said that among the initiatives taken by the authorities include banning heavy vehicles from entering the main and federal roads. In addition, the provision of free tolls and discounts has also helped ease the traffic condition.

The ECRL is a 665-km rail network that includes 59 tunnels and is estimated to cost RM50.27 billion and will traverse four states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.

According to the updates from Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, the overall progress is currently stood at 28.57%, including construction work in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.

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