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THE construction works of the bypass from Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) are scheduled to continue Feb 1 this year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the construction works are expected to complete on Jan 3, 2025.
“The implementation of this project can help to disperse traffic and to reduce traffic congestion. It can benefit Penangites in terms of reducing travelling time on the road,” he said after signing the supplemental agreement to the sub-agreement in relation to the construction of a bypass from Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two), on behalf of the state government.
Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) board member Tan Sri Dr Khor Eng Chuen signed on behalf of the company. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Penang State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar and CZC board member Datuk Lee Chee Hoe.
CZC is the design and built contractor of the Penang three major roads and undersea tunnel project.
The RM6.3 billion project will comprise the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two), the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang bypass (Package One), the Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass (Package Three) and the Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel (Package Four).
The auspicious ceremony was also witnessed by His Royal Highness Tunku Laksamana Kedah Datuk Seri DiRaja Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Ibni Sultan Sallehuddin, via online video conferencing. Tunku Shazuddin Ariff is also the chairman of ECK Development Sdn Bhd.
Chow said the Penang government is committed to address traffic issues in the state.
“The state has appointed the then Consortium Zenith BUCG (now known as Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd) through the open tender Request for Proposal in 2011 to implement the three major roads and undersea tunnel project.
“The three major roads and undersea tunnel project are part of the state’s initiatives under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), aimed at creating an efficient transport system in Penang,” Chow said.
A master agreement for the three major roads and undersea tunnel project was inked on Aug 2, 2019; followed by the sub-agreement for Package Two on Oct 11, 2019. The groundbreaking ceremony for Package Two was held on Nov 2, 2019.
According to the latest statement, the Package Two alignment will consist of elevated sections with a length of 4.2km and at-grade sections of 1.8km in length.
Package Two will also 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.
Tunku Shazuddin Ariff thanked the Penang government and CZC for inking the supplemental agreement.
“We look forward to successfully completing the Package Two project by 2025,” he said.
Also present were Penang Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, State Financial Officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Farazi Johari, State Legal Advisor Datuk Norazmi Mohd Narawi, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Azhar Arshad, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, and CZC board members Puan Sri Ginney Chew and Chiok Kian Chau.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud