MOTORISTS travelling along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang should enjoy a smoother journey after the road-widening project is completed by end of this month.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project was carried out by IJM Corporation Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

“The expansion project to reduce the bottleneck traffic at the flyover near the exit of Penang Bridge on the island was carried out following complaints from workers (at the Free Industrial Zone) in Bayan Lepas,” he added.

He said this in his opening speech at the Free Industrial Zone Penang Companies’ Association annual meeting held at Equatorial Hotel on Tuesday.

The three-lane expansion near the Batu Uban marine police base started in January this year.

During his opening address, Lim also said the state government was now seeking open tenders for the construction of an undersea tunnel and three major roads that cost RM5.8bil.

The projects are 6.5km Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel, the 4.2km Gurney Drive-Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass, the 4.6km Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu-Bandar Baru Air Itam bypass and a 12km road connec- ting Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang.

Meanwhile, Lim said the short-term measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion on the island by expanding Jalan Air Itam, upgrading of Lorong Batu Lanchang from Lebuhraya Thean Tek to Jalan Masjid Negeri, Jalan Gottlieb and Jalan Bagan Jermal were expected to be completed within three years.

Source: The Star