Sungai Besi Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway
Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway
The Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) is a significant infrastructure project located in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. This expressway, officially designated as E19, serves as a vital connector, aimed at alleviating the traffic congestion prevalent in the region.
The SUKE is a 24.4-kilometer dual carriageway, featuring three lanes on each side. It stretches from Ulu Klang in Selangor to Sungai Besi, running primarily over the existing Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2. This elevated expressway was designed to reduce traffic along this heavily used road, which serves key localities such as Ampang, Pandan Indah, Cheras, Bandar Tun Razak, and Bandar Tasik Selatan.
History and Development
The concept of the SUKE was proposed by Prolintas, a major infrastructure developer in Malaysia, to accommodate the increasing road capacity demands due to burgeoning traffic along the FT28 Middle Ring Road 2. The expressway was funded with an allocation of RM5.3 billion as part of the Budget 2015. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance the Malaysian Expressway System.
Route and Connectivity
Beginning in Ulu Klang, the expressway progresses southwards, largely following the existing path of Middle Ring Road 2. It eventually turns westward to reconnect with the Middle Ring Road 2 at its terminus in Sungai Besi. From here, the road continues into the Shah Alam Expressway, providing an alternative route to Kajang from Ulu Klang. This connectivity is intended to distribute traffic more evenly across the region, thus reducing congestion on traditional routes.
Infrastructure and Features
The SUKE is equipped with elevated toll plazas to facilitate efficient toll collection, a crucial feature for maintaining the flow of traffic and maximizing the expressway's utility. The elevated design minimizes land acquisition requirements and disrupts existing traffic patterns as little as possible during construction and operation.
Importance in the Klang Valley
The Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway plays a critical role in the broader transportation infrastructure of the Klang Valley. It complements other major expressways such as the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway, East Klang Valley Expressway, and Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway, forming an interconnected network designed to improve accessibility and reduce travel time across one of Malaysia's most densely populated regions.