WITH nearly 40% of alignment and stations for Penang’s LRT Mutiara Line located in Bayan Baru, its construction is bound to disrupt local traffic, says MP Sim Tze Tzin.
While acknowledging the public’s frustration, he said many also recognise the need for the LRT and were putting up with the situation.
He said the authorities adopted a “no closure of roads” approach, with roadworks scheduled at night and affected sections reopened for traffic during the day where possible.
“There’s going to be congestion. I hope everyone will be patient,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysia Smart Manufacturing Awards 2027.
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, one of the key roads serving the Bayan Lepas industrial area, has been subject to traffic diversions for LRT works since Sept 12 and this is expected to last until July 31, 2027.
Sim said Bayan Baru’s heavy traffic was also due to the concentration of factories, investments and employment opportunities in the area.
The Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) has attracted high-value investments and created more jobs, drawing people to the area from across Malaysia, he added.
“The LRT can help ease congestion by encouraging more people to use public transport.
“But it will not solve 100% of the problem,” he said, adding that the number of private cars would continue to be a challenge for Penang.
He urged motorists to use public transport, saying continued reliance on private cars made it difficult to resolve the traffic congestion problem.
