Undersea tunnel may be toll-free
An artist’s impression showing where the tunnel project will start on the island.
Funding options for pending mega projects here may see a change now that Pakatan Harapan is the Federal Government.
There is even a possibility that the proposed Penang Undersea Tunnel will be made toll-free to mirror the pre-election promise of making Penang Bridge toll-free.
Incoming Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would relook the funding options for projects such as the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
“If the Federal Government is willing to support us, of course, we will look at alternative funding options. But right now, it is too premature to say,” he said here yesterday.
He was responding to a question whether Penangites could expect federal funding for the PTMP instead of sticking to the planned method of reclaiming islands off the south of Penang island.
Penang Undersea Tunnel project contractor, Consortium Zenith Construction senior executive director Datuk Lee Chee Hoe, said he welcomed the possibility of alternative funding instead of getting reclaimed land as payment in kind.
“We are willing to accept it. We need to talk to the new chief minister and get instructions.
“We are also ready to make the tunnel toll-free because the state had promised to make Penang Bridge toll-free if Pakatan wins.
“If Chow wants it, we will work on it,” he said.
Initially, the proposed tunnel was to follow the toll rate of the second link, the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge.
Former chief minister Lim Guan Eng had pledged to abolish the Penang Bridge toll collection, which had been extended until 2038.
Lee said he also expected the construction of the three paired roads, which were part of the tunnel project, to begin soon “since everything was in order and just waiting for federal approval”.
The three paired roads had already been paid for with a combination of existing and reclaimed land.
Szeto Wai Leong, the project director of SRS Consortium, the project delivery partner of PTMP, welcomed the possibility of federal funding.
The state was prepared to grant the reclamation of two new islands – 930ha and 566ha – in the south to fund PTMP.
“With federal funding, things will move quickly,” he said.
SRS Consortium is a subsidiary of Gamuda, which is also the project delivery partner of the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail project worth about RM40bil.
Source: TheStar.com.my
Hello, new Cm, pls put priority in penang mrt or lrt before u talk about tunnel, we don’t need more car to come in, but u need to make sure mrt is in place so penang people won’t hv huge traffic jam, no point focus on this before mrt r built.
@Apamau yeah. I believe public transport more important than undersea tunnel. Public transport able to solve congested traffic in island and it’s convenient for tourists too, while undersea tunnel is another new option for us to connect island and mainland
Yes, the work on LRT is long overdue, no more delay pls, the LRT should be given the top most priority
I think NCPR from Lembah Permai to Teluk Bahang is a good proposal..there is a need to have 2nd road to Bt. Feringgi and Teluk Bahang. We can see how difficult people living in that area to commute when the only road being block by landslide and fallen tree.
Hahaha…you guys are very naive, thinking now you can just walk into MOF and carry out bags and bags of money just because LGE used to be your beloved CM?? C’mon wake up people. The situation will be the same as the distribution of cabinet pos, NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND. Everyone thinking that they will suddenly get wealthier and their lives get easier just because there is a regime change? You’re in for a big disappointment I’m afraid. You still have to work, still have to fight for that promotion to get more salary, houses won’t get any cheaper nor we could afford to let the price of properties go up simply because we will not be able to afford it then. Cheers!!
@jacky
I heard that North Coastal Highway is going to build soon. I too, always having trouble to go to work whenever there is a accident and impossible to pass through.
@rex
Aiya, why r u so negative? We must always hope for something better maa. At least we have a better chance to get all these done if comparing to previous, don’t u think so? Yes, we won’t get richer, life will still be tough but when there are something good, just let people happily share, nothing to lose bro : ))
Just ignore him, he must be butt hurt for supporting BN macai
@Truth
Well, it’s true that the chances of PG mega projects have INCREASED, no doubt. But it’s like when you look at the IQ of a donkey of 30, that’s low. So Macha is much smarter than a donkey, with double the IQ of 60. So that’s an INCREASE for sure, but medically an IQ of 60 is still considered mental retardation. So I guess that’s good for Macha, shall we just let people happily share ??
Batu Feringghi and Teluk Bahang are nice place to stay..still a lot of greenery and fresh air. If we have NCPR it will be marvelous..very good for penangite especially those who live there.
It is a good news when state want to build NCPR.
hello jacky, it seems that you guys staying in Baru Feringghi now is having headache with traffic without NCPR?