Rectification work to be done on section of Bukit Kukus paired road before opening

An aerial view of the paired road heading towards housing areas in Paya Terubong in the background. – CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

PART of the RM545mil Bukit Kukus paired road in Penang will be officially open to traffic next week, said Zairil Khir Johari.

The Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman believes the 3.3km stretch from Lebuh Bukit Jambul that branches out to Jalan Tun Sardon and Paya Terubong would ease traffic flow.

He said the road was supposed to open today but “upon inspection by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), some rectifications need to be done on the developer’s section.”

“The developer has been informed and works will be carried out.

“The safety of the public is of utmost importance and it will be open to public tentatively next week,” he said.

The project consists of three sections.

Besides the section by MBPP costing RM275mil, two more developers are responsible for the remaining 1.4km (RM150mil) and 0.7km (RM120mil) stretches.

A section of the road from Paya Terubong heading to Lebuh Bukit Jambul with a road branching to the right to Jalan Tun Sardon towards Balik Pulau.

The works include the junction improvement of Lebuhraya Thean Tek, widening of the existing Jalan Bukit Kukus, construction of new roads and an elevated road from Jalan Paya Terubong to Jalan Tun Sardon and an intersection of new paired road to Lebuh Bukit Jambul with a dedicated right-turn ramp.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in 2025, which was the original date but may vary based on the private developers.

The roads will open in stages when it is completed over the next few years.

Work on the project was delayed due to a few reasons that included the movement control order (MCO).

There were five extensions of time given due to land acquisition issues, slope stabilisation work, relocation of utility lines as well as landslide and blasting permits.

One of the contractors was reportedly cash strapped and work was also stalled due to an objection hearing.

The paired roads project is touted to be the highest elevated route in the country which rises to its highest point of 59.4m from the pile caps.

The project also had its fair share of mishaps since it began in 2018.

In October 2018, 14 beams meant to be a platform for a section of the highway fell, leading to the Department of Safety and Health issuing a stop-work order.

Two days later, a landslide mangled 12 container cabins, killing nine foreign workers and injuring four.

The main contractor Syarikat Yuta Maju Sdn Bhd, was fined RM35,000 in February last year for failing to provide a safe work procedure.