Maju Expressway

History

Construction of Maju Expressway started on 6 December 2004 and completed on 5 December 2007. It was open to motorists on 13 December 2007. This expressway provided fast and convenient connectivity between Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and Putrajaya – the new Malaysian Government Administrative Centre, Cyberjaya – the core of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and KLIA.

MEX is operated by Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd (MESB), the concessionaire that has been awarded a 33-year concession to operate the dual carriageway.

Extending 26 km in its first phase, MEX is designated as the Protocol Expressway that links Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, KLIA and LCCT with Kuala Lumpur. MEX reduce traveling time between Putrajaya to Kuala Lumpur from about 60 minutes to 30 minutes, or half the previous travelling time with five interchanges: Kampung Pandan, Salak South, Kuchai Lama, Bukit Jalil and Putrajaya Utama (Putrajaya Main).

Seri Kembangan interchange (Exit 2004A) began operations at 13 January 2016, providing access from MEX to Seri Kembangan (formerly Serdang), Puchong and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Maju Expressway was planned to extend to KLIA by Dec 2019 and the route will be 18 km-long, three-lane dual carriageway and commence at Putrajaya Main Interchange. The extension was 89% completed as of March 2023, but due to cashflow issues, the concessionaire is not able to complete the construction of the highway. Later, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the alleged RM360 million in false claims related to funding the highway project.

Controversial issues

Noise and cracks at Sri Petaling

The development stage of the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway created a controversy due to the effects of the construction to the houses of the residents in Sri Petaling. There were several cracks reported to some houses, fueling protests among the Sri Petaling residents against the construction of the expressway.

According to the residents, the expressway was reported to be built too near to residential houses, which was claimed by Sri Petaling residents as violating the expressway construction standards. The expressway which was built too near to the residential areas (only 2 m from residential houses) also causes concerns about noise pollution as well as safety issues that would be caused by the expressway.

Last-minute motorcycle ban on the expressway

On 31 January 2008, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu officially banned all motorcycles from using the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway, which was said due to "safety reasons" due to the so-called "limited space" on the expressway. Ironically, the double-decked Kerinchi Link of the Sprint Expressway which was almost similar in terms of design (except for the double-deck design) is allowed to be used by all motorcyclists. Originally, motorcyclists were used to be allowed on the expressway and both Putrajaya and Salak toll plazas included motorcycle lanes.

Several weeks before the official ban, there were some reported cases of motorcyclists being chased away from the expressway by the concessionaire staff. The last-minute ban fueled anger among motorcyclists especially in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and viewed as a discrimination against Malaysian motorcyclists. Even with motorcycle ban, there are less drivers travelling on this expressway.

On 6 June 2008, the motorcycle ban was lifted by the new Minister of Works, Datuk Ir. Mohd Zin Mohamed as an effort to encourage people to use motorcycles as a more fuel-economic alternative to cars. The decision was made as a result of the recent Malaysian fuel price hike where the price of RON97 petrol was increased from RM1.92 to RM2.70.

Features

• The expressway provides Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS) that comprises vehicle detectors and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
• Emergency telephones and Variable Message Signs (VMS)
• MEX Ronda patrol ready to aid drivers who require assistance on the expressway.
• Entire Expressway is fully lit at night which contributes to driving comfort and safety.
• 90 km/h speed limit
• Many flyovers along the expressways including Tun Razak, Salak South and Sri Petaling–Bukit Jalil.
• Long straight sections between Bukit Jalil and Seri Kembangan.
• Views of Kuala Lumpur skyline from Salak South.

Tolls

The Maju Expressway uses opened toll systems.

Electronic Toll Collections

As part of an initiative to facilitate faster transaction at the Salak South, Seri Kembangan and Putrajaya Toll Plaza, all toll transactions at three toll plazas on the Maju Expressway have been conducted electronically via Touch 'n Go cards or SmartTAGs since 13 January 2016. Contactless credit and debit cards using the MyDebit, Visa and Mastercard network are accepted for toll payments since 3 August 2023, marking the first Malaysian toll expressway to support contactless cards for toll payments.

Toll fares

Junction list

References

References

1. "About Mex – Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd".
2. (14 January 2016). "MEX Seri Kembangan interchange now operational".
3. "MEX II – Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd".
4. (3 May 2025). "Expert calls for govt intervention to complete MEX II without bailout".
5. [http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=156377 Safety, Noise Barrier Walls For Section Of KL-Putrajaya Expressway] – Bernama.com. Accessed on 1 February 2008
6. [http://www.sripetaling.net/issues.php KL-PUTRAJAYA ELEVATED HIGHWAY 2 METRES AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL HOUSES] – sripetaling.net. Accessed on 2 February 2008.
7. The Star]]. Accessed on 1 February 2008.
8. [http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0606&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=dalam%5Fnegeri&pg=dn_26.htm&arc=hive Penunggang motosikal boleh guna lebuh raya Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya] – ''[[Utusan Malaysia]]'', 6 June 2008.
9. "Services – Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd".
10. "Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd – MEX".
11. "10 Klang Valley toll plazas to go cash-free next week – Metro News – The Star Online".
12. "MEX first highway in Malaysia to accept credit and debit cards at toll booths; 1.3 seconds to clear payment".
13. "Toll Rates – Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd".