The current 40-minute drive from Bandar Baru Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway will soon be significantly reduced to less than 10 minutes with the completion of the Bandar Baru Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two).

This milestone project is tentatively scheduled for completion next year (2025). The estimated cost of the project was RM851.04 million.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the overall physical progress of the project was 42% as of early January this year.

“The Package Two 5.7km-alignment is divided into six sections.

“Most of the civil works have already shown encouraging progress, among them are bored piling works, the construction of piers and crossheads for the viaduct structure, the construction of slope stabilisation structures using the soil nailing method, construction of reinforced earth wall (RE wall), cut and fill, as well as the widening of existing roads.

“The utility (Penang Water Supply Corporation pipes, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Telekom Malaysia cables) relocation works have been completed at Section One.

“Major construction works such as controlled rock blasting, RE wall, rock breaking, soil nailing, platform preparation, soil improvement, rock hacking and excavation, are being conducted at Sections Two, Three and Four.

“Utility (Indah Water Konsortium pipes, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Telekom Malaysia cables) relocation works are ongoing at Section Five besides other construction works which include site clearing, soil improvement and preparation of road base for permanent slip road,” Zairil told Buletin Mutiara recently.

He added that utility piloting works are scheduled to begin at Section Six this month (February 2024).

Zairil said Penang must continue upgrading its infrastructure and facilities.

“The state must uphold its economic and social competitiveness while adapting to the evolving needs of Penangites, businesses, and visitors. Penang stands as one of Malaysia’s thriving economic hubs.

“Better infrastructure makes it easier for people to get around and helps local businesses succeed,” he added.

Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd is the design and build contractor, while Penang Infrastructure Corporation is the implementing agency for the project.

Package Two comprises 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.

Other project scopes include upgrading and improving the drainage system, upgrading existing roads involved in the project area, and utility relocation work.

Source: Buletin Mutiara