A PARTIAL road closure on Jalan Kebun Bunga will take place from Oct 15, 2024, to June 30, 2026, due to construction works for the Penang Hill Cable Car project. The public is advised to adhere to the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and exercise caution during this period.
Kebun Bunga assemblyman Lee Boon Heng stated that the TMP outlines the traffic flow and management for the construction activities.
“Visitors to the Penang Botanic Gardens are encouraged to park at designated areas instead of along Jalan Kebun Bunga. From these parking spots, they can enjoy a brief walk to the gardens, which will remain open for recreational activities throughout the project period.
“There are also other nearby parks, such as Gurney Bay and Penang City Park, where visitors can enjoy outdoor activities,” he added.
A temporary roundabout will be constructed, and traffic controllers will be stationed to assist with traffic flow along Jalan Kebun Bunga. Additionally, a temporary hawker centre has been set up to accommodate the hawkers from the Penang Botanic Gardens hawker complex.
Lee noted that the Penang Botanic Gardens typically receives around 3,000 visitors on weekdays and up to 6,000 visitors on weekends.
The Penang government, through the Penang Hill Corporation, is the Penang Hill Cable Car project owner. Hartasuma, a pioneer in Malaysia’s rail industry, has been granted a 30-year concession for the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design, Finance, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DFBOT) basis.
Hartasuma has selected Austria-based Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, a global leader in ropeway technology, to supply the cable car system. Doppelmayr, renowned for its over 15,400 ropeway installations worldwide, has completed 86 installations in Unesco heritage, geopark, biosphere, and national park sites.
Hartasuma is expected to invest RM245 million in the project.