THE construction of Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) bypass is now at 35.14%.
Project director Nasfiza Mokhtar, who was from the Public Works Department and currently with Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC), said the project was behind schedule by about 2%.
She said, however, the project completion deadline remained Jan 31, 2025.
“We thank the authorities and all involved for the cooperation given.
“Most land acquisition matters have been resolved, and we look forward to addressing the remaining soon. Similarly, utility-related challenges have also been successfully managed,” she said during her short presentation at the construction site at Bukit Gambir here, today.
The briefing was part of the site visit ceremony of the 5.7km Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) bypass project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari inspected the project which included several elevated and at-grade sections.
The estimated cost of the dual carriageway project is RM851.04 million.
It was reported that Package Two will comprise three interchanges – Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which will involve a left in-left out junction and an elevated U-turn.
The project contractor is Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC), and the implementing agency is PIC.
CZC project director Razif Ahmad Ahmad Khan said when Chow first visited the site on Jan 7 last year (2022), the work progress on only about 8%.
“Today, we are proud to announce that we have achieved 35%. We understand the heavy responsibility of providing a good highway network for the people,” he said in his speech.
PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the project was being monitored by PIC.
“The Chief Minister has been briefed and taken on a tour to check out the work progress. He was able to understand the project status through this site visit,” Farizan said.
Chow said two twin land tunnels would be built along the Package Two alignment.
“Initially there were three, but after revision, there will be two (twin land tunnels).
“Each tunnel is about 300m to 400m-long. And it is only about 600m between the two tunnels,” Chow replied to a question by a journalist after the event.
Earlier in his speech, Chow said the site visit helped him to understand the implementation of the project better.
“In the past, Datuk Lim Hock Seng (now Penang Economic Planning Division transport chief) and I objected to the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) proposal as it will involve burdening the people with tolls for using the expressway.
“Today, the Penang government is able to implement this (Package Two) project without imposing any toll on the road users. It will be a toll-free highway which will connect Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
“Penang government is committed to addressing traffic issues in the state,” he said.
Also present were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, CZC managing director Tan Sri Dr Khor Eng Chuen, and CZC director Puan Sri Ginney Chew.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud