The Penang State Government has revealed that it is considering converting the controversial proposal of an undersea tunnel across the Penang Strait into a bridge or an alternative design instead.
This is according to the Penang State Infrastructure and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday (21 May).
Penang State Government is considering converting the proposed undersea tunnel into a bridge for the Penang Third Link project
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Zairil was quoted by BERNAMA during the winding up of the debate on the opening address by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib as saying that the feasibility study on the undersea tunnel was finalised in 2023 and included the possibility of a new design for the Penang Third Link project.
However, the feasibility study for this alternative design will only be completed in the near future.
Zairil, who is also the assemblyperson for Tanjong Bunga, added,
“The Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and all appropriate assessments will be carried out after the conceptual design is finalised,”
Zairil khir johari
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had earlier asserted that the Penang Third Link project will likely change its alignment and design.
Speaking of which, on 26 February, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the feasibility study for the tunnel project is still at the research stage.
He added that the Penang State government was looking into several matters, including the expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) port, which involves the alignment of the project.
The undersea tunnel project along the 6.5-kilometre stretch connecting Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The undersea tunnel project was proposed under the administration of former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He is currently on trial for allegedly abusing his position as the then-Penang Chief Minister to solicit a 10% cut from the project profit, as well as for allegedly accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks related to the project.
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