Residents in the Air Putih constituency can look forward to improved infrastructure with two proposed projects aimed at enhancing drainage, pedestrian safety, and traffic connectivity in the area.

The projects include the upgrading of the drainage system and road shoulder along Jalan Goh Guan Ho, as well as a proposed road connection between Lintang Sempadan and Solok Sempadan. Both initiatives were put forward by Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng and highlighted during the Chief Minister’s Jelajah Programme in Air Putih.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Jalan Goh Guan Ho upgrading project has been allocated RM500,000 by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and is expected to commence in September this year. Construction is estimated to take six months.

According to Chow, the existing drainage and road shoulder infrastructure along Jalan Goh Guan Ho has deteriorated and requires urgent improvements. The project will introduce a storage drainage system designed to retain rainwater from surrounding areas before directing it into Parit Lumba Kuda, helping to improve stormwater management.

The works will also include upgrading shallow drains into larger box culverts of varying sizes, improving road shoulders, and constructing pedestrian walkways based on universal design principles to enhance accessibility and safety for all users.

Meanwhile, a second proposal involving the extension of Lintang Sempadan to connect with Solok Sempadan is being considered to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility in the neighbourhood. Currently, Lintang Sempadan is a dead-end road without a proper turning facility for vehicles.

Residents of Taman Boundary Apartment have reportedly requested the connection, citing the need for better access into and out of the residential area. The project would involve land acquisition and the construction of a new connecting road along with supporting infrastructure.

MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said preliminary discussions with the land office have begun, as the project requires the acquisition of privately owned land. The estimated cost, including land acquisition, is approximately RM4.5 million, although the figure remains subject to further assessment.

If the land acquisition process proceeds smoothly, construction could begin by the middle of next year, with completion expected within nine months to one year.

Together, the two projects are expected to improve mobility, drainage capacity, and overall convenience for residents in the Air Putih area.

ADVERTISEMENT