 | |
|---|---|
| Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 73 km (45 mi) |
| Existed | 2012–present |
| History | Expected completion in 2026 |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | Kota Bharu |
| Major intersections |  FT 3 AH18Federal Route 3 FT 8Federal Route 8 FT 4Federal Route 4 FT 209Jalan Pasir Hor D114Jalan PerolD14Jalan Melor-KeterehD136Jalan Selising-Kok LanasFT 4Federal Route 4D225Jalan Batu Balai FT 34Central Spine Road |
| South end | Kuala Krai |
| Location | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Primary destinations | Ketereh,Machang,Pasir Mas,Tanah Merah,Gua Musang |
| Highway system | |
Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway (Malay:Lebuhraya Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai) also known as thePeople's Expressway (Malay:Lebuhraya Rakyat) orFederal Route 34, is astateexpressway that is under construction inKelantan,Malaysia. It was planned as anational expressway, but was constructed as a state expressway because the federal government dropped out of the expressway project several times since 1990; consequently, the expressway will be the first state-ownedcontrolled-access expressway once completed.[1] Nevertheless, the project was gradually integrated into theCentral Spine Road 34 project by 2015 and uses the same continuous exit numbers.
The Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway is a 73-kilometre (45 mi) expressway connecting the city ofKota Bharu andKuala Krai in Kelantan. The expressway will be built as a four-lanedual-carriageway expressway with full access control. There are nine grade-separated interchanges and tworest areas will be constructed along the expressway.[2]
The construction of the expressway is state-funded withouttoll collection. In addition to the state fund, the public may contribute for the expressway construction through awakaf fund.[3]
The expressway is being built in three phases. Phase 1 from Bukit Tiu to Kuala Krai was constructed first, as the section runs along the state-owned land, eliminating the compensation costs for land takeovers. Meanwhile, Phase 3 from Pasir Hor to Kota Bharu will be the final section to be built, as the section will be an elevated expressway built on top of the existingFederal Route 8, making the section as the most expensive section of the expressway.[3]
The construction of the Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway was planned as early as during theFifth Malaysia Plan during the end of the 1980s.[3] The expressway was planned to be built as an alternative for the badly-congested Federal Route 8 along the Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai section, which becomes worse during festive season. However, the expressway project was dropped off, due to the loss of the KelantaneseBarisan Nasional state government toPan-Malaysian Islamic Party-Semangat 46 coalition during the 1990 General Election. The project was later revived by the fifth Prime Minister, TunAbdullah Ahmad Badawi as one of the projects under theNinth Malaysia Plan,[3] but was dropped off again ultimately after Datuk SeriNajib Razak became the sixth Prime Minister.[4] As a result, the PAS-led Kelantan state government decided to construct the expressway by themselves.[3] The expressway construction was inaugurated by theMenteri Besar of Kelantan, Tuan GuruNik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on 28 May 2012.[1][2]
The construction of the expressway by the PAS-led Kelantan state government was heavily criticized by theBarisan Nasional-led federal government, claiming that the expressway project was nothing but just a mere political gimmick by the state government.[5] In addition, Barisan Nasional-led federal government also criticized thewakaf method being used to fund the expressway construction. On the other hand, the state government criticized the federal government for not being cooperative and supportive regarding the expressway construction, hence disputing the federal government's integrity.[4]
On 20 January 2012 during the BN-sponsoredJelajah Janji Ditepati (Promises Fulfilled) roadshow at Kota Bharu, Datuk Seri Najib Razak included the expressway project as one of the seven federal mega projects being promised for Kelantan if BN takes over Kelantan from PAS during the upcoming13th general election.[6] However, the promise was heavily criticized by the incumbent PAS-led state government for being a conditional manifesto, as well as plagiarizing the state government's own plans. DatukHusam Musa, the chairman of the Economic Planning, Finance and Welfare Committee of Kelantan, said that the federal government should have executed the expressway project a long time ago rather than making promises, as the project had already been approved during the Fifth Malaysian Plan and once again during the Ninth Malaysian Plan.[7]
| Km | Exit | Interchange[1] | To | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | Kota Bharu–Pasir Hor flyover Kota Bharu Interchange | FT 3AH18Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra East Pasir Mas West Tumpat Kubang Kerian FT 8Jalan Sultan IbrahimKota Bharu city center Pengkalan Chepa | Interchange Start/End of flyover | |
| FT 34 Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway border limit | ||||
| -- | Pasir Hor Interchange | FT 209Jalan Pasir Hor Pasir Hor Wakaf Che Yeh | Interchange | |
| -- | Kadok Interchange | D126 Kadok | Interchange | |
 | Ketereh Interchange | D14 Ketereh Melor | Interchange | |
| FT 34 Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway border limit | ||||
| FT 34 Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway Under construction | ||||
| -- | Kok Lanas Interchange | D136 Kok Lanas Selising | Interchange | |
| -- | Bukit Tiu Interchange | FT 4Jalan Gerik–Pasir Puteh East Pasir Puteh West Machang Tanah Merah Jeli Gerik | Interchange | |
| -- | Keroh Interchange | FT 8 Keroh | Interchange | |
| FT 34 Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway Start/End of expressway Under construction | ||||
| FT 34 Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway border limit | ||||
| Through toFT 34Central Spine Road | ||||
