THE 5.7km Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass can cater up to 8,000 vehicles per hour, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) senior executive director Datuk Lee Chee Hoe said.
Lee said the bypass, which was scheduled to complete by April 2023, could substantially cut the travelling time from Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway; from 40mins to 5mins!
“We have appointed a traffic mitigation consultant to mitigate traffic congestions at the affected areas during the construction of the bypass,” Lee told a press conference after attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Lebuhraya Thean Teik today.
The 5.7km Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two) is part of the three-highway and an undersea tunnel project.
The RM6.3 billion project comprises the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two), the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road (Package One), the Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Three) and the Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel (Package Four).
The RM6.3 billion project is under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the cost of the Package Two project is RM851.04 million and it would be implemented on a lump sum contract basis.
“There are about 70% elevated sections while the rest are at-grade.
“The contractor will begin the initial works from now until April next year (2020). The 36 months construction period will start from April 2020.
“After its completion, the Package Two project will be surrendered to the state government. The state will be responsible for the Package Two bypass after it is completed.
“The maintenance cost may be borne by the state. We can also seek allocations from the Public Works Department (JKR) or the Works Ministry to maintain the Package Two bypass. That can be decided after the project is completed,” Chow said.
He said that the implementation of the Package Two project showcased the commitment of the state government in providing a holistic and dynamic transportation system.
Package Two has four interchanges – in Jalan Thean Teik, Jalan Bukit Gambir, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. An elevated U-turn will also be constructed in Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Also present at the ceremony were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, State Financial Officer Datuk Sarul Bahiyah Abu, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, CZC chairman Tan Sri Azmi Khalid and CZC senior executive director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alvie Cheng