- The Edge Markets reported that the Selangor government has agreed to include the Damansara-Shah Alam (DASH) elevated expressway alignment into the Petaling Jaya City Plan 2 (RPTG 2). The inclusion followed a state exco meeting for the Selangor government that was held on 13 May.

- The report added that parts of the highway’s alignment that was included were those that were not subject to protest from residents. It was reported that objections were received from residents living in Damansara Perdana and Mutiara Damansara.

- Following this decision, the Selangor government is expected to call for a public hearing between 13 July and 4 August. The meetings are to collate feedback from the public before a report is submitted to the Selangor State Planning Committee for approval.

- To recap, DASH is one of several urban highways that have been mooted in the Klang Valley. Estimated to cost ~RM4bil, the three-lane expressway measures approximately 20km in length.

- DASH is supposed to commence at the Puncak Perdana U10 Shah Alam intersection. It serves as a link for residents in Puncak Perdana, Alam Suria, Denai Alam, Kampung Melayu Subang, Jalan Sungai Buloh, RRIM, Kota Damansara, Damansara Perdana, and Mutiara Damansara.

- DASH is seen as an alternative route for the busy stretch at Persiaran Surian in Kota Damansara. It is supposed to end at the Penchala interchange, linking road users to the LDP and SPRINT.

- Earlier, Prolintas – the highway’s proponent – had reportedly indicated that it plans to start construction works by March 2016. If things go as planned, the tender of contract packages could come in 2H15, we reckon.

- We nevertheless believe it is still premature to identify the potential beneficiaries at this point in time, pending an official confirmation of the highway’s status.

- Be it as it may, DASH is part of the rising job momentum within the local construction sector ahead of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) period.

- For now, the MRT Line 2 and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) remain as two key infrastructure projects that will likely generate investor interests in the near term. We maintain our view that the MMC-Gamuda JV remains as firm favourite to bag the tunnelling portion of MRT 2, having earlier secured the PDP role.

- Similarly, we favour Gamuda to be in the driver’s seat for the PDP contract under PTMP. It was reported that the race to the finish line has narrowed down to two parties.

Source: AmeSecurities Research - 30 Jun 2015