A bypass connecting Hijaun Hills to Bander Tasek Mutiara in the south Seberang Perai (SPS) district is set to be constructed, enhancing accessibility to the schools in the neighbourhood.

The bypass will be constructed from Jalan Tasek Mutiara 10 to Jalan Hijauan Hills 1.

This was announced by State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari during a press conference held on Sunday (Feb 26).

Zairil said the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) received by the Seberang Perai City Council also suggested that the construction of the bypass must be prioritised.

“Parents staying in the neighbourhood have complained that they have to use a longer route via the main road to send their children to the schools even though the schools are only less than 1km away.

“There are seven schools within the 1.5km of the residential area.

“The task to construct the bypass has been given to the state Public Works Department (PWD) and the cost of the project is to be borne by the state government,” Zairil said.

The seven schools are Sekolah Menengah Tasek, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Tasek Permai, Sekolah Menengah Tasek Mutiara, Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Jit Sin II, XCL International School Pearl City, Penang and SRJK(C) Keng Koon.

It is learned that the duration of the project is 30 weeks, and it comprises the construction of a new road, a road median, a pedestrian walkway, a new drain, upgrading of the existing road, installation of streetlights as well as CCTVs.

The project is estimated to cost RM5.3 million. It will be a two-way bypass road with four lanes.

Source: Buletin Mutiara