The Penang state government remains committed to facilitating the implementation of the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project, with Package 1 of the strategic traffic dispersal project now recording 40.79% physical progress.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said construction works for Package 1, covering the route from the Juru Toll Plaza to the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza, are progressing on site and are expected to be completed by October 2027.

Meanwhile, Packages 2 to 5 are currently undergoing evaluation and tender processes. The tender process for the four packages is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with construction targeted to begin early next year.

Chow said land acquisition and utility relocation works would be carried out concurrently to minimise delays and ensure the project progresses smoothly.

The project is expected to benefit around 200,000 road users daily along the Juru-Sungai Dua corridor by easing congestion and improving traffic flow.

The project has also received close attention from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with regular monitoring and monthly meetings held to address challenges and implementation issues. The overall project is targeted for completion by the end of 2030.

According to Chow, the elevated highway adopts a traffic segregation concept that separates local traffic from highway traffic, similar to the approach implemented in Jelapang, Ipoh.

He said the concept had helped improve traffic movement and control in Jelapang, and expressed hope that a similar impact could be achieved along the Juru-Sungai Dua corridor.

The state government is also assisting with land acquisition matters. The process has reached Section 8, with the relevant matter expected to be presented by the Federal Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) Penang on September 17.

Chow added that relocation requirements would be relatively limited due to the availability of existing reserves. Based on current information, only seven food stalls are affected, with no large-scale resettlement involved.

With an estimated cost of RM3 billion, the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway is a high-impact infrastructure project aimed at addressing congestion along one of the busiest sections of the North-South Expressway.

Upon completion, the project is expected to improve connectivity and traffic flow not only for Penang residents but also for motorists travelling along the north-south highway corridor.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT