THE Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under Prime Minister’s Department and PLUS Malaysia Berhad have officially started discussions on the construction of the Juru–Sungai Dua elevated highway project to address the persistent traffic woes in Seberang Perai, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
A delegation from UKAS, led by its director-general Datuk Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, paid a courtesy visit to Chow in Komtar yesterday.
Among the various topics discussed, Chow emphasised earlier that the state government is urging PLUS to prioritise the need for the elevated highway to be implemented as soon as possible to benefit the people and potential investors.
“The traffic congestion is not only felt in Seberang Perai but also on the island, particularly along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway, leading to the Penang Bridge, and in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas too.
“Concerns are being raised by the industry sector in Bayan Lepas, as they are worried that these traffic issues might impact the decisions of potential investors considering expansion in Penang.
“Also, the worry of not being able to hire talents is there as no one would desire to get stuck in traffic jams for hours, especially not when you get off work in the evening.
“After meeting with UKAS yesterday, I hope this will be an engine that will drive more relevant collaborations in the future, be it from the federal or other agencies, to assist us in materialising this plan,” Chow told a press conference after attending the inauguration ceremony of Versa, a mixed development project by Aspen Group in Batu Kawan today.
If completed, the highway would also alleviate traffic around the North-South Expressway, which currently handles traffic into Kedah and Perak.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis