KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government will ask PLUS Malaysia Bhd to lower the East Coast Expressway (LPT2) toll rates.

Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the state hopes PLUS would lower its 12sen per km toll for the 184-kilometre highway until all infrastructure and highway services are in place.

Ahmad Razif said it would take about three months for all kiosks at rest areas and petrol stations to be opened along the highway.

“LLM (Malaysian Highway Authority) is also erecting fencing and lighting up identified dark and dangerous stretches.

“If the respective parties can agreed to temporarily revise the toll rates, this will create a win-win situation for highway users and PLUS,” he said after attending a Hari Raya open house yesterday.

Toll collection on LPT2, operated by Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2, a fully-owned subsidiary of PLUS, started on July 15.

Motorists are now paying RM19.70 in toll for a journey from the Kuala Terengganu toll plaza to the Cheneh toll plaza.

Ahmad Razif said the state had received RM118mil from the Federal Government for upgrading the coastal roads - the Kemasik-Awana Kijal and Rantau Abang-Marang stretches- making it a four-lane stretch from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu.

“This will ensure we have a good quality alternative road and those travelling from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu will have a choice to use the highway or roads that are as good as the highways,” he said.