THE new Sungai Machang Bubuk bridge in Jalan Gajah Mati is now completed and open to traffic.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the construction work of a new bridge started in August 2018 and completed on time on Feb 22 this year.
“The original cost of the project was estimated to be RM4.47 million but the final cost was RM3.1 million. Thus, we saved around RM1.37 million.
“The completion of this project also shows the Penang government’s commitment to providing more infrastructure projects in the state, especially in rural area for the people’s benefit.
“And I hope with the completion of this new bridge, it can ease the traffic congestion and also benefit the motorists who are using this road on a daily basis.
“We also hope it can help to improve the image of nearby villages in the Machang Bubuk area since the place is quite strategic being near to the main suburb of Bukit Mertajam,” Zairil said in his speech before launching the new bridge today.
Also present were Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and Penang Public Works Department (PWD) director Dr Balamurugan Gopal.
According to Dr Balamurugan, the project also involved the widening and resurfacing works of the road and upgrading of the monsoon drain near the bridge.
“With this, it can help to reduce the risk of flooding in the future,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad