THE Mount Erskine underpass project is a crucial initiative to ease traffic congestion, particularly for residents along the Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah corridor, says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow stressed that without the project, the traffic bottlenecks that have long plagued the area would persist well into the next decade.
“But if we move forward with the project, at the very least, motorists in the locality will see some relief.
“While critics may argue that it may not be effective, many others believe this project is essential to alleviate the traffic situation. We cannot ignore their concerns,” Chow said when asked about the matter today after officiating the closing ceremony of the Family Wellbeing Workshop at MPKK Bukit Tengah Community Hall.
Chow emphasised that while public transport remains a key priority, road infrastructure must also be improved in tandem to create a balanced and effective transport system.
“It has always been my intention to promote public transport, but we cannot neglect infrastructure projects. Public transport alone cannot provide a total solution.
“If buses or other forms of public transport are stuck in the same traffic jams due to poor road networks, then it defeats the purpose. That is why both infrastructure upgrades and public transport improvements must go hand in hand,” he explained.
The Mount Erskine underpass, which will span 700m from Jalan Mount Erskine to Jalan Burma near Adventist Hospital, is expected to cost RM35 million, with an additional RM23.9 million allocated for land acquisition.
It is also learnt that the land acquisition process, for the 700m stretch from Jalan Mount Erskine to Jalan Burma (up to Adventist Hospital), has been completed.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Siew Chia En