New Coastal Highway project is 80% complete, says Irda CEO

Am so looking forward to the completion and full operation. Any bros with pictures, please post/share... I understand some have already traversed the highway... heheh!

By ZAZALI MUSA
Published on 31st August 2011
http://thestar.com.my/

JOHOR BARU: Work on the New Coastal Highway is progressing well as it is expected to open for motorists in the second-quarter of 2012.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) CEO Ismail Ibrahim said the project already at 80% completion level.

The 15km toll-free highway costing RM945mil links Johor Baru city centre to Nusajaya, one of the five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia.

Other zones linked by the facility includes the Johor Baru City Centre, Eastern Gate Development Zone, Western Gate Development Zones and Senai-Kulai.

“Motorists using the highway from the city centre will reach Nusajaya in 15 mins from 30 mins currently,” he said adding the highway would disperse traffic congestion by 30% to the city centre.

It provides direct link between the Bukit Chagar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine to Nusajaya for motorists entering Johor Baru from Singapore to visit Legoland Theme Park at Nusajaya and Indoor Theme Park @ Puteri Harbour.

Ismail said this after witnessing a signing ceremony between Genting Property Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) represented by its senior manager Beverly Goldman and Johor general manager Mohd Roslan Mohd Rashidi respectively for the provision of the high speed broadband services.

He added that the interchange connecting the North-South Expressway to Kulaijaya near the exit point to Senai-Pasir Gudang-Desaru Expressway would be ready by mid-October before the opening of the JPO in November.

“The interchange will provide an alternative route for motorists and shoppers to visit the JPO and will improve connectivity and accessibility to Kulaijaya,” said Ismail.

JPO is a 50–50 joint-venture between the Genting Group’s 54.6% owned subsidiary Genting Plantations Bhd and Premium Outlets, a division of US-based Simon Property Group, offering off-seasons branded items between 25% and 65% all year round.

This is the first of its kind in South-East Asia, there are 52 outlets in the United States, Mexico, Japan and South Korea.

Separately, Ismail said Iskandar Malaysia has received cumulative committed investment of 75.96bil up to June 2011, of which 60% (RM45.48bil) from local investors and 40% (RM30.48bil) from foreigners.