WCE Cuts Kuala Linggi to KLIA Travel to Just 45 Minutes

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced on 10 November 2026 that the government has agreed to build the West Coast Expressway from Banting to Gelang Patah, reducing travel time between Kuala Linggi and Kuala Lumpur International Airport to 45 minutes.

Speaking during a visit to the Kuala Linggi state constituency operations room alongside Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Rosli Abdullah, Ab Rauf explained that the expressway will traverse Kuala Linggi, transforming the area into a major destination for investors, tourists, and economic development in Melaka over the next five years.

Key Facts

The approved West Coast Expressway from Banting to Gelang Patah establishes a direct 75-kilometre highway connection between Kuala Linggi and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Slashing travel duration by nearly 35 minutes compared to existing routes, the infrastructure project links several coastal settlements across south-western Melaka directly to major regional economic gateways.

The approved West Coast Expressway alignment reduces the travel distance between Kuala Linggi and KLIA to 75 kilometres with an expected journey time of 45 minutes.

How Will the West Coast Expressway Reduce Travel Time to KLIA?

The West Coast Expressway reduces travel time between Kuala Linggi and Kuala Lumpur International Airport by providing a direct 75-kilometre route that bypasses congested inland diversions. Motorists will complete the journey in approximately 45 minutes, saving nearly 35 minutes compared to the existing 110-kilometre highway route through Alor Gajah and the North-South Expressway.

Under current road arrangements, motorists journeying from Kuala Linggi must head inland through Alor Gajah to access the North-South Expressway (PLUS) before reaching the airport. Ab Rauf confirmed that he has examined the route maps and verified the efficiency of the new coastal link.

“Kerajaan dah bersetuju untuk membina jalan daripada Banting ke Gelang Patah yang dipanggil Lebuh Raya Pantai Barat, melintasi Kuala Linggi,”

Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh

Travelling from Kuala Linggi to KLIA via the completed West Coast Expressway will take 45 minutes across a distance of 75 kilometres.

Which Areas in Melaka Will the Expressway Alignment Cross?

The West Coast Expressway alignment across Melaka directly traverses five major coastal and southern localities: Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubok Redan, Kampung Pulau, Air Limau, and Sungai Rambai. Connecting Banting in Selangor to Gelang Patah in Johor, the expressway establishes a critical north-south coastal transit corridor running through the state of Melaka.

The designated alignment ensures that northern coastal communities gain immediate access to an inter-state highway. By linking Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubok Redan, Kampung Pulau, Air Limau, and Sungai Rambai directly into the network, the project integrates previously bypassed rural coastal areas with major commercial centres in Selangor and Johor.

The West Coast Expressway alignment across Melaka crosses Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubok Redan, Kampung Pulau, Air Limau, and Sungai Rambai.

How It Compares for Malaysian Users

For Malaysian motorists travelling between Melaka and Selangor, the West Coast Expressway provides a significantly faster alternative to existing inland highway routes. By bypassing the Alor Gajah detour and the North-South Expressway entirely, drivers cut their travel distance by roughly 35 kilometres and reduce total travel time by almost 35 minutes.

This substantial travel reduction is expected to transform Kuala Linggi into Melaka's most developed locality over the next five years, establishing a strategic focal area for incoming industrial investors, domestic tourism, and regional commerce.

Compared to the existing 110-kilometre route through Alor Gajah, the West Coast Expressway shortens travel between Kuala Linggi and KLIA by approximately 35 kilometres.

Common Questions

How long will travel take from Kuala Linggi to KLIA via the West Coast Expressway?

Travel from Kuala Linggi to KLIA will take 45 minutes once the West Coast Expressway is completed. The new 75-kilometre coastal alignment eliminates the detour through Alor Gajah and the North-South Expressway, shortening the total journey time by almost 35 minutes for motorists.

What route do drivers currently use to reach KLIA from Kuala Linggi?

Drivers travelling from Kuala Linggi to KLIA currently use existing local roads through Alor Gajah before entering the North-South Expressway (PLUS). This journey covers an estimated distance of 110 kilometres and takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes under normal driving conditions.

Which locations in Melaka will the West Coast Expressway pass through?

The West Coast Expressway alignment will pass through Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubok Redan, Kampung Pulau, Air Limau, and Sungai Rambai within Melaka. The highway connects Banting in Selangor directly to Gelang Patah in Johor, crossing directly through the coastal district of Kuala Linggi.

Sources and Methodology

This article synthesises official statements reported by Careta regarding the West Coast Expressway project connecting Banting to Gelang Patah across Melaka. All specifications, geographical route points, travel durations, and distance metrics were translated from the original Malay source material, with no external figures, financial projections, or estimates added.

This reporting relies exclusively on published statements by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh regarding the West Coast Expressway project.

Original report: Careta

This article is based on the source report above and was last updated on 11 November 2026.