Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (E39, SPE)
The Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (abbreviated SPE, route code E39) is a 29.8-kilometre inner-city expressway in Kuala Lumpur. Formerly known as DUKE Phase 3, it spans from Kerinchi in the southwest to Taman Melati in the northeast, fully elevated in most stretches. Construction of the expressway began in 2016. One section of the expressway opened on 22 December 2021, between Taman Melati to Setiawangsa.1
Quick Facts
- Expressway code: E39
- Length: ~ 20.7 km (full sections 1-4)1
- Sections: 4 main sections — Kerinchi-Salak (Section 1), Salak-Pandan (Section 2), Pandan-Setiawangsa (Section 3), Setiawangsa-Taman Melati (Section 4) 1
- Concessionaire: Lebuhraya DUKE Fasa 3 Sdn Bhd (DUKE 3), under Ekovest Berhad 1
- Fully opened date: 3 November 2023 (Sections 1-3) plus Section 4 was earlier opened in December 2021 1
- Toll rate (Class 1 vehicles): RM 3.50 after a toll-free period 1
- Expected daily traffic: ~ 100,000 vehicles 1
- Features: three-lane dual carriageways, seven flyovers, all mainsections elevated 2
History and Development
The SPE project was awarded on 11 January 2016 to Lebuhraya DUKE Fasa 3 Sdn Bhd under a concession to design, build, operate, and maintain the expressway. 3
It was constructed in phases: Section 4 (Setiawangsa to Taman Melati) opened in December 2021; the remaining sections (Sections 1-3) from Kerinchi to Setiawangsa opened on 3 November 2023. 1
Route & Connectivity
The expressway starts in the southwest at Kerinchi (connecting to the Kerinchi Link / Federal Highway) and proceeds northeast via Salak, Pandan, Setiawangsa, up to Taman Melati. 1
SPE links several major highways and roads, including the Damansara–Puchong Expressway (LDP, E11), Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE, E33), New Pantai Expressway (NPE, E10), and is also connected in the Kuala Lumpur road network via the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), AKLEH, SPRINT, among others. 1
Characteristics
- SPE is mostly elevated, with several flyovers and toll plazas elevated above ground. 1
- Currently three lanes per direction. 1
- Has seven interchanges and two ramped on/off points. 2
- Toll agreed under concession; initial toll-free access for a period after opening, then RM 3.50 for class 1 cars. 1
Recent Issues & Updates
The Works Ministry recently confirmed there are no structural cracks in the SPE flyover at Jalan Cheras, following claims and images circulating. Lines observed were construction joints, not defects. Crack-monitoring devices are to be installed for ongoing safety checks. 2
Since full opening, the expressway is expected to carry about 100,000 vehicles daily and assist in reducing congestion in Kuala Lumpur by improving linkages across dense urban zones. 1
References
- The Edge Malaysia – SPE fully open
- Bernama via TheSun – SPE declared safe
- Parliament Malaysia – SPE Project Report
