Several long-term night lane closures and traffic diversions will begin from 16 April 2026 along key stretches of Jalan Tengah and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, as preliminary utility works for the Penang LRT Mutiara Line (CMC1 package) move into a more active phase. The closures, announced by MRT Corp, will remain in place until 30 September 2026, with works carried out nightly from 10pm to 5am.

Among the affected locations is Jalan Tengah near Giant Bayan Baru, where the leftmost lanes in both directions, the Mayang Pasir slip road, and the inner road between Nasi Kandar Makbul and Nasi Kandar Pelita will be closed in stages for utility detection and piloting works. At the same time, multiple sections of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah will also see intermittent lane reductions, including the stretch between Pelita Nasi Kandar and the Snake Temple, the section between Jalan Tengah Apartment and Tokong Ular, as well as the industrial corridor between Clarion and Dynacraft Industries. In most cases, at least one lane in each direction will remain open to maintain traffic flow.

These works form part of the enabling phase for the Mutiara Line alignment through Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas, one of the busiest commuting corridors on the island. Motorists using the airport route, FTZ industrial belt, and surrounding residential areas are advised to expect slower traffic conditions at night and to follow directional signage placed along the affected stretches. MRT Corp has also deployed traffic personnel, cones, and temporary barriers to manage vehicle movement safely throughout the construction period.