PEOPLE using the Sungai Besi Highway will be able to link up to the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) upon the completion of the highway?s 12.3km extension, which will be constructed at a cost of RM649mil.

The announcement was made by Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamad after he announced that the Salak Jaya toll plaza on the same highway would be closed, saving motorists RM1.30 in toll in each direction.

The extension of the highway, dubbed the Besraya Elevated Expressway (BEE), will, however, have one toll plaza.

"But it will be cheaper. In terms of per kilometre of highway, the toll rates are lower," he said.

The BEE will start from the MRR2 to Jalan Istana, with Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd, the operator of the current Sungai Besi Highway, given the rights to operate the extension as well.

There will be 10 interchanges: Salak Selatan, Jalan Istana, Ikan Emas, Loke Yew, Jalan Cheras, Shamelin Perkasa, MRR2 (North), MRR2 (South), Pandan Utama, and Pandan Jaya.

The construction of the BEE would be up for open tender, with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) having finalised the design, said Mohd Zin.

He said the Cabinet had approved the highway, which would be 80% elevated and should be completed within 36 months.

"The extension will reduce traffic congestion on MRR1 and MRR2, which at the moment is over its capacity by 100%," he told reporters