THE Penang Government is planning more than RM300mil in new roads and bridges for the mainland and it is hoping that the Federal Government will ‘chip in’ to finance them.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the bridges and roads would be new connections in Batu Kawan, Nibong Tebal, Bukit Tambun and Jawi, and they were being planned through Penang Development Corporation (PDC).
He said the infrastructure improvements would ensure growth and ease of access to attract investments.
“However, the cost is very high for the state government and as such, we hope that the Federal Government can help.”
Chow was speaking at the opening of Jalan PSPN (Penang Science Park North) 2, in Juru near Bukit Mertajam recently.
He said PDC took the initiative to increase the road network by opening Jalan PSPN 2 as an alternative route to enable traffic from Batu Kawan and Bukit Tambun to continue to Juru using the passage way to the Bukit Tambun toll plaza.
The newly opened road is 30m wide with a three-lane dual carriageway design stretching 1.6km.
“The project was executed in two phases, with the first phase stretching about 0.8km with a construction cost of RM9.6mil which was completed in 2016.
“The second phase was about 800m costing RM9.5mil,” Chow added.
He said the construction for both phases cost RM20mil, which was fully funded by PDC.
“With Ikea opening in March, we expect traffic volumes here to be quite high and that is why PDC is adding a new road.”
Chow stressed that the Batu Kawan area could expect to see rapid growth and the additional road networks were crucial.
Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minster I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung, Batu Kawan MP P. Kasthuriraani, Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) president Datuk Rozali Mohamud and PDC general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar.
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