Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway
Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway is a traffic dispersal project on Malaysia’s North–South Expressway in Penang. It links the Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas, spanning roughly 17 km in length, of which about 9 km is elevated0. The highway is intended to segregate local and through traffic and relieve severe congestion along this stretch1. The project was announced in the Malaysian 2025 budget and will be implemented through a public–private partnership, with PLUS Malaysia Bhd as concessionaire2,3.
Artist Impression of the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway (21 October 2025 AI Studio)
Quick Facts
- Location: Penang, Malaysia (Seberang Perai) between Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas.
- Length: ~17.3 km total (about 9 km elevated).
- Opened/operation: Construction started Oct 2025 (Package 1); expected completion by about 2030.
- Cost: ~RM3 billion (announced in Budget 2025).
- Type: Grade-separated traffic dispersal highway (no traffic lights on mainline).
- Phases: 8 major construction phases/packages.
- Builder (Pkg 1): Naza Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd.
- Concessionaire: PLUS Malaysia Berhad (Northern Route of North–South Expressway).
- Expected daily benefit: ~200,000 users relieved of congestion.
Project Details
Construction is divided into multiple phases. The first package (Pkg 1) began on 21 October 2025, with Naza Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd appointed as the main contractor4,5. Pkg 1 includes upgrading the East-West Interchange roundabout and building a new flyover at Jalan Tun Hussein Onn. This initial package is slated to take 24 months to complete6. In total, the highway project covers eight phases, including several no-signal interchanges and elevated U-turns7,8. For example, apart from the new elevated sections, key intersections such as the Juru Utara (Autocity) Interchange, the Penang Bridge interchange, and the Jalan Baru overpass will be upgraded, and additional flyovers constructed9,10.
11The design follows a “traffic bypass” concept: northbound vehicles can stay on the expressway past Juru, and southbound vehicles can do so past Sungai Dua, avoiding local toll exits12. The elevated highway will thus separate local traffic from long-distance traffic, improving traffic flow13. In total, the entire Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway (along with associated ramps and interchanges) is estimated at about RM3 billion14,15. In early announcements the cost was cited as about RM2 billion, but later confirmed at RM3 billion16,17.
Construction and Timeline
After the 2024 federal budget approval, Plus Malaysia and its partners fast-tracked preparations. An official ground-breaking ceremony by the Prime Minister was slated for November 202518. Pkg 1 began in October 202519 and, as noted, will last about two years20. PLUS stated that the preliminary works (pile driving, site prep) would not disrupt traffic, leaving two open lanes in each direction during construction21,22. The full highway project is expected to take roughly four to five years; official statements target completion around 2029–203023,24. In other words, the elevated highway is due to open by the end of the decade, significantly later than its 2025 start.
Impact and Benefits
The highway is aimed squarely at easing chronic congestion on this busy corridor. An estimated 200,000 vehicles per day use the Juru–Sungai Dua stretch, leading to severe peak-hour jams. PLUS and state officials have noted that the new road will divert local traffic away from the main toll plazas, shortening travel times and reducing gridlock25,26. By providing uninterrupted elevated lanes and improved interchanges, the project is expected to deliver smoother journeys for highway users and nearby residents alike27,28.
Map of Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway
References
- “Penang’s Juru-Sungai Dua traffic dispersal project kicks off today with Package 1”, Malay Mail (21 Oct 2025).
- “Juru-Sungai Dua traffic dispersal project on North–South Highway starts today – new roundabout, bridge”, Paultan (21 Oct 2025).
- “Penang welcomes the start of the Juru – Sungai Dua project today, hopes project completes in five years”, Malay Mail (21 Oct 2025).
- “Traffic dispersal project between Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas begins”, The Star (21 Oct 2025).
- “Sungai Dua–Juru elevated highway project set for November groundbreaking”, Penang Property Talk (8 Sep 2025).
- “Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway to proceed through Public-Private Partnership”, Penang Property Talk (20 Oct 2024).
- “Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project to start next year – Chow”, Bernama (29 Oct 2024).
Page Details
This page was created on 8 October 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia
Want to share your Penang travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?
Join the Penang Travel Tips Facebook GroupUseful guides for visiting Penang
