Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (E15)

Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (23 January 2025)


Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (E15) is a major expressway that connects Butterworth in Penang to Kulim in Kedah. It is often known by its acronym BKE. The expressway was built over two years and was opened to the public in September 2006.

Update on the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway

30 December, 2017: A third tier one-way flyover is being proposed by the state government for through traffic from the northbound side of the North-South Expressway to the Butterworth Kulim Expressway heading east to Kulim.

Map of Butterworth-Kulim Expressway

Service Stations on the BKE

Sights along the BKE

Route of the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway

The Butterworth-Kulim Expressway begins in the west, at the interchange with Jalan Siram, Jalan Sungai Nyior and Jalan Heng Choon Thian. After passing the interchange, one reaches the Sungai Nyior Toll Plaza. As of 1 January, 2015, a toll of RM0.50 is charged of cars with 2 axles and 3-4 wheels excluding taxis, which pay RM0.25.

Tasik Mengkuang Interchange (1505) on the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (22 August 2015)


The expressway crosses the Prai River, it passes the Seberang Jaya township, where it approaches the three-tier Seberang Jaya Interchange with the North-South Expressway (E1). This is an unnumbered exit (erroneously signaged at Exit 1501 on Wikipedia as of 1 Jan 2015). If you are travelling on the North South Expressway, this interchange is Exit 163.

The first numbered exit on the BKE is Exit 1501, the Permatang Pauh Interchange. Exiting south from this interchange takes you to Bukit Mertajam.

Next comes the Kubang Semang Toll Plaza. Here, cars with 2 axles and 3-4 wheels pay RM1.60 while taxis paty RM0.80. Beyond the toll plaza, the landscape widens into an empty expense of paddy fields, with Bukit Mertajam visible on the right.

Kubang Semang Toll Plaza (20 May 2010)


The next exit on the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway is Exit 1503, the Pmtg Nibong Interchange. This elevated interchange exits south to Kubang Semang. You exit the expressway here to Jalan Permatang Nibong, the rural road connecting Permatang Pauh with Kubang Semang.

Approaching the Permatang Nibong Interchange (20 May 2010)


Permatang Nibong Interchange to Kubang Semang (20 May 2010)


After the interchange, the expressway continues over Jalan Tanah Liat, where you can see Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Penanti on your right (north side of expressway). Next it crosses the railway line.

The next exit on the BKE is Exit 1505, the Tasik Mengkuang Interchange. You exit here to State Route P129, which takes you to Mengkuang and Berapit. The sign says you can reach Penanti from this exit too, though in my opinion, if you are going to Penanti, which is further to the west, you should get off the expressway at the earlier Exit 1503.

Approaching the Tasik Mengkuang Interchange (20 May 2010)


Coming up next is the Penanti Rest Stop, the only rest stop on the expressway. The complex spans across the expressway. There are Shell service stations on both sides.

Penanti Rest Stop (20 May 2010)


A short distance from the rest stop, you cross the state border from Penang into Kedah. Almost immediately after the border is the Lunas Toll Plaza. Here cars with 2 axles and 3-4 wheels pay RM1.60 while taxis RM0.80.

Lunas Toll Plaza (20 May 2010)


After passing through the Lunas Toll Plaza, you reach Exit 1508, the Lunas Interchange. You exit here to Route 136, and head north for Lunas, head south for Kulim. If you remain on the highway, it takes you to the Kulim Hi-tech Park.

Lunas Interchange (20 May 2010)


The Butterworth-Kulim Expressway ends at the junction to the Kulim Hi-Tech Park. Beyond that is Federal Route 4 which continues all the way to Baling, passing Karangan and Kupang along the way, to eventually join with the East-West Highway towards Jeli in Kelantan.

Junction to Kulim Hitech Park (20 May 2010)

List of Expressways in Penang and Expressways in Malaysia