At the launch tonight, works minister Fadillah Yusof said motorists would not have to pay toll charges for a month when using the expressway.

The launch involves the first phase of the expressway, which consists of a 16.6km alignment from the Cheras-Kajang Interchange to the Bukit Antarabangsa Interchange.

The first phase also includes 11 interchanges and two toll plazas, the Bukit Teratai Toll and Ampang Toll.

SUKE is expected to relieve traffic congestion at the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) by 30% during peak hours, as well as in Jalan Ampang (30%) and Jalan Loke Yew (12%).

“The government remains committed to reducing congestion within the city,” Fadillah said.

SUKE boasts three lanes, each measuring 3.5m, with an additional 3m emergency lane on both sides for ambulances and emergency vehicles.

It has 14 interchanges, connecting it to Sri Petaling, Sungai Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras-Kajang, Cheras-Hartamas, Bukit Teratai, Tasik Tambahan, Permai, Kosas, Pekan Ampang, Ampang Point, Hulu Kelang, Taman Hillview and Bukit Antarabangsa.

It will also connect to eight other expressways – MRR2, the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (CKE), the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) and the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE), which is under construction.

Yesterday, Prolintas CEO Azlan Abdullah said the construction of the highway, which began in August 2016, had created about 10,000 jobs in various fields, from management to engineering.