This is a chronology of major events in the Malaysian Expressway System. The Malaysian Expressway System is a network of controlled-access highways in Malaysia.
1960s Date Events Remarks 1961 Jalan Universiti and Jalan Gasing were the first dual-carriageway roads in Malaysia since independence. August 1965 Opening of the Jalan Kinabalu Flyover in Kuala Lumpur. It was the first flyover in Malaysia since its independence. 1966 The Highway Planning Unit was established under the Ministry of Works and Communications. 16 March 1966 The Tanjung Malim–Slim River tolled road (Malaysia Federal Route 1), Malaysia's first tolled highway was opened to traffic. Toll collection began on 6 am. Length : 20 kilometresTanjung Malim–Slim River 1967 Federal Highway (Federal Highway Route 2), which is the first dual-carriageway highway in Malaysia was opened to traffic. It connects Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) to Kuala Lumpur. Length : 45 kilometresPort Swettenham (Port Klang)–Kuala Lumpur 1967 The Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge (Malaysia Federal Route 3) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia's first tolled bridge was opened to traffic. KDYMM Tuanku Al-Sultan Kelantan,Sultan Yahya PetraLength : -- 1967 The construction of the East–West Highway linking Gerik, Perak and Jeli, Kelantan was mooted by then first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj 16 April 1967 The Sultan Ismail Bridge (Malaysia Federal Route 5) in Muar, Johor, Malaysia's second tolled bridge was opened to traffic. DYMM Sultan of Johor,Sultan Ismail Length : 385 metres
1970s Date Events Remarks Early 1970s The construction of the East–West Highway has now begun Early 1970s The idea to build a bridge linking Seberang Perai to Penang Island was suggested by the late Abdul Razak Hussein, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia. 1970 The first comprehensive five-year road development programme was formulated by the Highway Planning Unit, which include expanding rural roads and plans to construct three new highways linking the east and west coasts. 3 April 1973 The upgrading works on the Federal Highway from Petaling Jaya to Kuala Lumpur Six lane carriageway(Guinness Brewery, Seri Setia–EPF Building)Eight lane carriageway (EPF Building–Jalan Pantai Baharu)2 Motorcycle lanes4 flyovers 27 March 1974 The construction of the Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway has now begun May 1975 The toll collection for the Sultan Ismail Bridge (Malaysia Federal Route 5) was abolished. June 1977 Opening of the Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway Length : 63.4 kilometresKuala Lumpur–Seremban June 1977 The construction of the North–South Expressway had begun. 1979 Opening of the Genting Sempah Tunnel and Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway. Minister of Works and CommunicationsDato Abdul Ghani GilongLength : 60 kilometresKuala Lumpur–Karak 1979 The Highway Planning Unit proposed the inception of the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA).
1980s Date Events Remarks 24 October 1980 Constitution of the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) Established by Act of Parliament as a statutory body in 1981 23 July 1981 Works and Communications Minister S. Samy Vellu announced that the Penang Bridge, Penang would be constructed using the cable-stayed concrete girder of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge instead of the steel-tied arch in the style of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 2 January 1982 All roads, highways and expressways in Malaysia are now switched to the Metric unit of kilometres replacing Imperial unit of miles. 16 June 1982 Official opening of the toll sections of the Kuala Lumpur–Seremban Expressway Minister of Works and CommunicationsDato' Seri S Samy VelluLength : 47 kilometresKuala Lumpur–Seremban7 interchanges2 Laybys (Serdang and Seremban)6 toll plazas (Sungai Besi, UPM, Kajang, Bangi, Nilai, Seremban (near Labu)) 1 July 1982 Official opening of the East–West Highway (Malaysia Federal Route 4) linking Gerik, Perak to Jeli, Kelantan Length : 167 kilometres 1982 Construction of the Penang Bridge officially began 1 January 1985 Opening of the North Klang Straits Bypass (Malaysia Federal Route 20). This highway is managed by Shapadu Sdn Bhd, the first highway concessionaire in Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir MohamadLength: 15.1 kilometresSungai Rasau–Port Klang 1 April 1985 Official opening of the Bukit Kayu Hitam–Jitra Highway Length : 24 kilometres 3 August 1985 Official opening of the Penang Bridge Prime Minister Mahathir MohamadLength : 13.5 kilometresSeberang Perai–Penang Island 14 September 1985 Official opening of the Penang Bridge to traffic. TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of PenangTun Dr. Awang Hassan 2 November 1985 Official opening of the Senai–Johor Bahru Highway (Skudai Highway) Length : 25 kilometres 27 June 1986 Formation of Highway Concessionnaires Berhad, the second highway concessionaire in Malaysia after Shapadu Sdn Bhd. March 1987 Opening of the Jalan Kuching Toll Plaza on Kuala Lumpur–Rawang Highway (Malaysia Federal Route 1 13 August 1987 Official opening of the Seremban–Ayer Keroh Highway and the closing of the old Seremban Toll Plaza near Labu Prime Minister Mahathir MohamadLength : 68.4 kilometres6 interchanges2 Laybys (Senawang and Pedas Linggi)1 Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Ayer Keroh (the first Rest and Service Area (R&R) on the NSE)) 28 September 1987 Official opening of the Ipoh North–Changkat Jering Highway DYMM Sultan of Perak,Sultan Azlan ShahLength : 53.4 kilometres4 interchanges1 Tunnel (Menora Tunnel)1 Rest and Service Area (Sungai Perak) 1 October 1987 The closed-toll system came into force along the Kuala Lumpur–Ayer Keroh and Ipoh–Changkat Jering expressways Collecting transit ticket at the entry point and paying a distance toll at the exit point. 13 May 1988 Highway Concessionaires Berhad changes its name to Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan Berhad (PLUS) 6 June 1988 Official opening of the Jitra–Gurun Highway DYMM Sultan of KedahSultan Abdul Halim Muadzam ShahLength : 59 kilometres5 interchanges1 Layby (Bukit Kobah)1 Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Gurun) 1 February 1989 The Malaysian National Speed Limit was enforced Light vehicles : 110 km/h (expressways); 90 km/h (federal and state roads)Heavy vehicles : 90 km/h (expressways); 80 km/h (federal and state roads) 1 April 1989 Official opening of the Ayer Keroh–Pagoh Highway Deputy Prime Minister Ghafar BabaLength : 54.4 kilometres3 interchanges2 Laybys (Kampung Bemban and Tangkak)1 Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Pagoh (North bound))
1990s Date Events Remarks 11 March 1990 Official opening of the Sultan Mahmud Bridge (toll bridge) in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Linking Kuala Nerus and Kuala TerengganuDYMM Sultan TerengganuSultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Al-Haj 1 April 1990 First Malaysian highway patrol unit "PLUS Ronda" formed To assist users stranded on highways 1 September 1990 Opening of the Cheras Highway (Malaysia Federal Route 1) and Jalan Cheras Toll Plaza 7 December 1990 Official opening of the Bukit Raja–Damansara Highway Length : 21.1 kilometres3 interchanges 14 April 1991 Official opening of the Gurun–Sungai Petani (S) Highway Length : 24.8 kilometres3 interchanges 28 March 1992 Official opening of the Damansara–Rawang Highway Length : 28.4 kilometres4 interchanges1 Layby (Sungai Buloh (South bound)) 1 August 1992 Official opening of the Rawang–Tanjung Malim Highway Length : 43 kilometres2 interchanges1 Layby (Rawang (South bound))1 Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Rawang (North bound)) 1 October 1992 Official opening of the Pagoh–Yong Peng (N) Highway Minister of WorksDato' Dr Leo MoggieThe longest stretch of the North-South Expressway network.Length : 47 kilometres2 interchanges1 Layby (Yong Peng)1 Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Pagoh (South bound)) 1 January 1993 The Malaysian Highway Network Development Plan blueprint is launched 11 January 1993 Official opening of the Bukit Lanjan–Jalan Duta Highway and the New Klang Valley Expressway Prime Minister Mahathir MohamadTotal Length : 35 kilometres5 interchanges