Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Works (KKR) will consider giving a six-month extension to the concessionaire involved in the West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE) construction project after its principal approval period ends in September 2026 to implement the project. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that at the initial stage, KKR had given the concessionaire involved a period of time to ensure its finances are strong before carrying out the project.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi emphasized the necessity for the concessionaire to negotiate after receiving conditional approval. He mentioned the importance of ensuring that financial institutions can support the company in securing the necessary capital to complete the work. These remarks were made during a press conference when Nanta visited JRTB (FT004), including the site of the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student bus accident on June 9 last year.

On May 1, Nanta informed that KKR had submitted the approval letter to the developer, requiring them to perform the necessary work within the specified period. The media previously reported that the 60-kilometre WISE Highway would feature three two-way lanes, with its route starting in Gopeng and passing through Batu Gajah, Siputeh, Manong, Tronoh, Beko, Seri Iskandar, and then Kuala Kangsar.

The construction of the WISE Highway is expected to provide an alternative route for users, besides the existing route through the Menora Tunnel.