Work will finally begin next month on a RM851 million elevated bypass road, one of three projects that are part of the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.

A groundbreaking for the bypass was held in October 2019 but there had been little sign of the project taking off, although traffic cones were placed on the construction area since then.

Executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said early works had already begun from then. He said the documents to be signed would be signed on Jan 15 and work would officially begin on Feb 1. “The state remains committed to ensuring the delivery of the project,” he said.

The 5.7km bypass runs from Bandar Baru Air Itam to the coastal Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu expressway on the island’s eastern shore. Some 70% of the road is elevated.

Works will begin from the Air Itam side near Lebuhraya Thean Teik, before ending at the expressway in three years.

China Railway Construction Corporation Ltd will remain the engineering procurement contractor.

According to state assembly documents, RM5.49 billion will be spent on construction alone, with a feasibility study and detailed design costs amounting to RM305 million, and land acquisition costs at RM546 million,

The feasibility study was paid via a land swap involving 3.7 acres of reclaimed land at Seri Tanjung Pinang (near Straits Quay).

The cost of the tunnel and three roads are to be paid through rights to 110 acres of land on Gurney Wharf.

The three roads project are the Air Itam bypass (5.7km); Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang (10.53km); and Jalan Pangkor-Gurney Drive junction to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (4.1km).

Zairil said in the meantime, it was aware of the restructuring exercise being carried out by the tunnel and road builders Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC).

He said the state is aware of several parties vying to take over CZC by buying its shares, but could not comment further until the company informs the state government officials.

Zairil also confirmed that one of the interested parties is a Kedah-based development company, earlier reported by FMT.

Earlier, sources told FMT that the Penang government has consented to the takeover of CZC by the Kedah company, as a white knight to save it from a confidence crisis caused by a torrent of graft investigations over the years.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com

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Illustrations of the proposed Gurney Wharf design concept.

The Gurney Wharf project in Penang, estimated to be completed by the end of 2023 and with various components on it, will cost the state about RM176mil.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said among the features to be expected along the 1.75km-long reclaimed coastline are parks, a hawker centre, a 330m-long beach and facilities for the disabled.

“The appointed consultants will start calling for tender of contractors to start work on the approved components.

“Physical work on the components is expected to start by the second half of 2021.

“We estimate it to cost RM176mil but the final figure can only be ascertained after tender is called, ” he said at a press conference before witnessing the signing of agreement among seven consultants in Komtar, Penang.

Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd (TPD) has been appointed as project management office while the consultants are GDP Architects Sdn Bhd (architect and project manager), Carnson Design & Associates Sdn Bhd (landscape architect), Jurutera TSSC Lim Sdn Bhd (civil and structural engineer), Jurutera Perunding Valdun Sdn Bhd (mechanical and electrical) and Ukur Bahan Konsult (quantity surveyor).

Dr Nik & Associates Sdn Bhd is appointed as both the coastal marine and reclamation engineer as well as environment consultant and auditor.

Chow said the entire reclamation project spanning 53ha was completed in September 2019 but the project took a break due to travel restrictions and for the land to settle.“TPD has handed over 36.5ha to the state and will hand over the remaining land in stages, ” he said.

In 2016, it was reported that the coast along Gurney Drive would get a makeover due to a massive recreational waterfront project.

The Gurney Wharf project is touted as the state’s seafront park-in-the-city project.

Its conceptual master plan is by Grant Associates, a renowned consultant architect involved in international projects including the Hive, Bristol Harbour Site and the Cambridge Accordia plus Singapore Gardens by the Bay.

Source: TheStar.com.my

The Penang government and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) are scheduled to ink a sub-agreement in relation to the construction of a bypass from Bandar Baru Air Itam (Farlim) connecting to Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu (Package Two) on Jan 15.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the signing of the sub-agreement is necessary to observe a few matters such as the construction detailed design of the project and other issues.

CZC is the design and built contractor of the three major roads and undersea tunnel project.

The RM6.3 billion project will comprise the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two), the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang bypass, the Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass and the Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel.

“We are still in communication with CZC. We were told that there was a restructuring of equity in the company; as reported by an online media,” Chow told a press conference in Komtar today.

Chow said the Penang government took note of the matter and would make an official statement after the sub-agreement is signed.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Picture for illustration only

Penang undersea tunnel project has been given new life with a Kedah-based developer clinching a deal to take over the project through the purchase of majority shares in the company awarded the project.

The state government has given its blessings to the Kedah company, led by a Penang businessman with a “Tan Sri” title, to take over the project, said a source.

“The state executive council gave its nod for the takeover in early December. The new company will breathe new life into the project, which was hampered by MACC probes over the years. The Tan Sri is the white knight of the project,” the source said.

FMT has contacted chief minister Chow Kon Yeow for comment.

While the exact value of the takeover could not be ascertained, it was learnt that the incoming company would absorb liabilities and other costs as well. The source said the Kedah company will pay in instalments once work starts on each component of the project.

Last October, the tunnel and road builders Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) told FMT that it was in the midst of an “internal restructuring” so the project could roll out smoothly.

A source had earlier told FMT that the restructuring was an effort to rescue the image of CZC and the tunnel and roads project, which had been severely affected by the corruption allegations, among others.