The Genting Sempah–Genting Highlands Highway is the main highway from Genting Sempah to Genting Highlands, Malaysia, a mountain resort and entertainment park. This is a private highway owned by Genting Berhad. The speed limit of the highway is 50 km/h (31 mph).

Route background

The Genting Sempah–Genting Highlands Highway begins at the downhill Genting Sempah near EXIT 803 on Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway (kilometre 17.6). Its terminus (kilometre zero) is at Genting Highlands summit.

History

The Genting Sempah–Genting Highlands Highway used to be a private highway owned by Genting Highlands Resort. Construction of the access road to Genting Highlands began on 18 August 1965 and took four years to complete from Genting Sempah to Mount Ulu Kali's peak. The access road finally opened on 31 March 1969 in conjunction with the official laying of the foundation stone for the Genting Hotel (the then Highlands Hotel) by the then-Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. In 2001, a new bypass Chin Swee Bypass was designed as a downhill route from the summit to the downhill Chin Swee Temple was constructed and completed in 2005. The construction of the new bypass was regarded as one of the most astonishing engineering projects in Malaysia. In 2021 and 2022, Genting Sempah was closed due to landslides caused by heavy rains that were exacerbated by climate change.

Notable events

Features

Dangerous curves

At least six spots along the 18 km road leading down from Genting Highlands have recorded horrific accident area involving buses and other heavy vehicles since 1989. 10% steep gradients, sharp bends and less-than-ideal road conditions can make it difficult for heavy vehicles to manoeuvre, and odds of losing control, skidding off the road and crashing, are high.

Separated one-way roads

The one-way road (formerly original dual-carriageway highway) from Chin Swee Temple was constructed as a climbing route to the summit. The other one-way road from the summit was designed as a downhill route to Chin Swee Temple.

Emergency escape ramp

Emergency escape ramps are also provided, especially on the one way downhill Genting Sempah bound lanes. An emergency escape ramp enables vehicles that are having braking problems to stop safely. It is typically a long, sand or gravel-filled lane adjacent to a road with a steep grade, and is designed to accommodate large, heavy vehicles. The deep gravel allows the heavy vehicle's momentum to be dissipated in a controlled and relatively harmless way, allowing the operator to stop it safely.

Viaducts at Chin Swee Bypass

Viaducts at the downhill road of Chin Swee Bypass leading Genting Sempah bound.

Le Tour de Langkawi

Genting Highlands serve as the finish point of a stage in the Tour de Langkawi cycling race. It is one of the longest (30 km) climbs featured in a cycling event.

Kilometre and Hectormetre markers

Kilometer and Hectormetre markers are placed along the road. It can be used for reporting accident locations.

List of junctions

Original route

Genting Highlands Climbing Route

(Climbing route, One-way Genting Highlands bound)

Chin Swee Bypass

(Downhill route, One-way Genting Sempah bound)