THE Penang Bridge (first bridge), Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and several other main roads around Queensbay Mall will be closed for the Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2019 this Sunday.
State Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Supt Wan Sharuddin Wan Omar said the bridge would be closed from 12.01am to 10am on the day of the event.
“Meanwhile for the affected routes, it will be closed or diverted in stages starting from 11pm (Nov 23) until 10am on Sunday (Nov 24).
“Thus, motorists are advised to plan their journey carefully,” Supt Wan Sharuddin told a press conference in Komtar this morning.
Also present were state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin (who is also the PBIM chairman) and PBIM project manager Grace Teoh.
According to Supt Wan Sharuddin, a total of 539 police personnel would be on duty during the event.
“They would be deployed at different road junctions and traffic lights to monitor and ensure the smooth traffic flow.
“Thus, all road users are advised to follow the instructions given by them and obey the traffic rules to avoid any unnecessary incidents during the event,” he said.
Yeoh said some 25,000 runners are expected to take part in this year PBIM marathon.
“This is the only run where the bridge is closed intentionally to ensure the safest and most competitive environment possible for our marathoners to complete their race.
“Thus, I hope all the road users will plan their journey carefully.
“Those who are taking flights from the Penang International Airport should head there earlier than planned before the roads’ closure or use alternative routes.
“Those who need to travel between the island and the mainland can use either the ferry service, which will be operating 24 hours that day, or the second Penang bridge,” he added.
For further details on the complete routes’ closure during the event, user can download the ‘PBIM 2019’ app on GooglePlay or Apple Store.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis