Penang is considering a bridge as an alternative to its undersea tunnel project as the island’s third link to the mainland. This was indicated by state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari in his winding-up speech during the state legislative assembly yesterday, The Star reports.
He said the state government is currently considering a proposal for a new design change that would instead have another bridge across the Penang Straits. Penang already has two bridges connecting it to the mainland.
“The feasibility study was completed in 2023, covering the viability of the new design, namely, a bridge, or other alternative designs.The implementation study for this alternative design will be completed in the near future, and the new design is expected to be finalised once the study is concluded,” he said. He added that a traffic impact assessment and any necessary evaluation would be carried out after that.
In February, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the third link for vehicular movement between Penang and Seberang Prai would involve a change in alignment. However, he did not reveal details of the new alignment or indicate whether the third link would be the undersea tunnel or a bridge.
In 2021, it was reported that the state government had not ruled out the possibility of a third bridge replacing the proposed undersea tunnel project to connect the island and the mainland. Back in 2016, the works ministry had indicated it was open to the idea of a third bridge.
First proposed in 2011 as part of the Penang transport master plan (PTMP), the 7.2-km Penang undersea tunnel aims to connect George Town on the island to Butterworth on the mainland, along with three major highways – the 10.53-km Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road, the 5.7-km Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and the 4.1-km Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway paired road.
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if there is a third link, it should link up northern part of island to northern half of seberang perai. state government can plan as part of long term development but i wont recommend building this bridge now or in next 5 yrs. our 2nd bridge still not fully utilised and our roads already congested. instead let’s see how mutiara lrt can impact the traffic movement b4 proceed with another bridge link
Good time to benefit selected individuals.
we, the would-never-use-the-bridge which consist of 95% Malaysia population against funding the project. penang government has to bear 100% of the cost this time as we already gave you 2 bridges.
Singapore only have 2 bridges and still managed to cope with their 4x more population what makes this island more special.
Why??? Isnt the new bridge under utilized and losing money? Ffs
Penang needs an LRT system connecting the island to the mainland as a people mover, not another bridge that can move another thousands of vehicles into the island just to congest the island. So much for a “smarter” group of people governing the state.