The commissioning of power supply to the second Penang bridge has been completed.

All the street lights on the 24km-long bridge was lit up during an exercise yesterday.

It is understood that the bridge is expected to be completed by Nov 8 and will be opened to the public several days later.

Motorists will enjoy complimentary access for one month after its launch by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The toll rate has yet to be determined.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd Penang general manager Datuk Mohd Zahir Md Nagor said electricity to the bridge was supplied from the TNB station in Batu Maung on the island and from a newly built substation near the toll plaza in Batu Kawan here.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) acting construction director Hussin Mohammad said installation of the high-voltage cables began at the early stages of the bridge’s construction at Package 3C and Package 3A.

The bridge links Batu Kawan on the mainland with Batu Maung on the island and will be the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

The cost of the bridge, which was earlier stipulated at RM4.5bil, was RM50mil lower.

The excess funds have been used for landscaping and decorative lights at the main navigational span.

The colour and tempo of the decorative lights would change according to the country’s major festivals or celebrations, similar to those at the Incheon Bridge in South Korea.

Source: StarProperty.my