CONSTRUCTION works on one of the three paired roads – the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway-Air Itam bypass (Package Two)– can only begin after the construction agreement is signed.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state hoped that the project could start on Sept 1, however, the construction agreement must first be inked.
“Looking at the latest situation, we may still be able to meet the targeted date (Sept 1). This is provided that the teams from the State Economic Planning Unit (BPEN) and State Legal Advisor Office are satisfied with the deliverables of Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC).
“Work can start after Zenith has delivered the necessary works, obtained the endorsement by our independent checking engineer and after the construction agreement is signed. The construction agreement must capture all the details.
“If the construction agreement is signed before Aug 31, work can begin on Sept 1. Currently, the final design is still being verified,” Chow told a press conference in Komtar today.
Chow said the deadline stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is Oct 31.
“The effective date of the EIA ends on Oct 31, hence, Zenith has about two months to get our approval.
“Zenith has obtained the Environment Management Plan (EMP) in July. The EMP is needed after the contractor (Zenith) obtained the EIA.
“The EMP is a specific plan to ensure that the project is carried out in a sustainable manner; how will the worksite be managed to avoid, minimise and mitigate the impact on the environment when the works are carried out.
“Everything is in place except for the final endorsement by the independent checking engineer and the signing of the construction agreement,” he added.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) special purpose vehicle chief Datuk Lim Hock Seng.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis