Ayer Itam – Tun Dr LCE Expressway bypass on track for completion by January 2025
The construction of Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) bypass is now at 35.14%.
Project director Nasfiza Mokhtar, who was from the Public Works Department and currently with Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC), said the project was behind schedule by about 2%.
She said, however, the project completion deadline remained Jan 31, 2025.
“We thank the authorities and all involved for the cooperation given.
“Most land acquisition matters have been resolved, and we look forward to addressing the remaining soon. Similarly, utility-related challenges have also been successfully managed,” she said during her short presentation at the construction site at Bukit Gambir here, yesterday.
The briefing was part of the site visit ceremony of the 5.7km Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) bypass project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari inspected the project which included several elevated and at-grade sections.
The estimated cost of the dual carriageway project is RM851.04 million.
It was reported that Package Two will comprise three interchanges – Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which will involve a left in-left out junction and an elevated U-turn.
The project contractor is Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC), and the implementing agency is PIC.
CZC project director Razif Ahmad Ahmad Khan said when Chow first visited the site on Jan 7 last year (2022), the work progress on only about 8%.
“Today, we are proud to announce that we have achieved 35%. We understand the heavy responsibility of providing a good highway network for the people,” he said in his speech.
PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the project was being monitored by PIC.
“The Chief Minister has been briefed and taken on a tour to check out the work progress. He was able to understand the project status through this site visit,” Farizan said.
Chow said two twin land tunnels would be built along the Package Two alignment.
“Initially there were three, but after revision, there will be two (twin land tunnels).
“Each tunnel is about 300m to 400m-long. And it is only about 600m between the two tunnels,” Chow replied to a question by a journalist after the event.
Earlier in his speech, Chow said the site visit helped him to understand the implementation of the project better.
“In the past, Datuk Lim Hock Seng (now Penang Economic Planning Division transport chief) and I objected to the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) proposal as it will involve burdening the people with tolls for using the expressway.
“Today, the Penang government is able to implement this (Package Two) project without imposing any toll on the road users. It will be a toll-free highway which will connect Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
“Penang government is committed to addressing traffic issues in the state,” he said.
Source: Buletin Mutiara
“Initially there were three, but after revision, there will be two (twin land tunnels).” – It’s wise not to consider it as much as possible.
Tunnel is a serious(deadly) problem when a slightest fault happens and it’s almost impossible to rectify at all.
@shanqiao
Exactly. Say for e.g. a truck gets caught in the fire while driving through the tunnel during peak hour. When it stops mid-way through the tunnel and violently combusted. Other vehicles traveling through the tunnel will quickly become trapped-in and they also get caught into fire as firefighters are unable to reach the transport truck. A few “booms” follows, all will then be finished !
Relax…. Just 300-400m. A man able to run the distance in 1 minute.
The tunnel in the photo doesn’t look right – no soil above the tunnel top and the face starting outside the slope face, not AT the slope face. Looks fake, probably just for publicity.
Also, i dont see the progress being 35% as reported. There is no signs of the highway being 1/3 done – cant see even 50m completed! so how can it be 35%?? So dont be fooled, it will be delayed beyond Jan 2025. Means prolonged public disturbance and improper slope cutting laying bare waiting for erosion.
Anyways, we do hope the project will be completed successfully and safely, complying to ALL regulations and specifications, for the sake of the public.
Come on and be rational, your comment sounds like we just invented the tunnel system yesterday. You should go explore and understand the Smart Tunnel in KL and many more around the world. Please be more open-minded and constructive and don’t just simply quote.
Speaking as a structural/civil engineer?
Malaysia, where all with ability to online become Professor in field of interest.
——above from my own kajian without degree, sekian terima kasih
@Anonymous
Probably land acquisition and land clearing is also part of the progress. Actual construction started after 40% onward. :p