No plans to axe undersea tunnel project

GEORGE TOWN: The proposed Penang undersea tunnel project report submitted for review by the technical consultant is over 90% complete and there’s no plan to stop the project, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pic).

The 7.2km tunnel project costing RM6.3bil connects Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Prai and is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

Chow said the state had been receiving reviews and comments on the proposed project from the state’s technical consultant, HSSI Sdn Bhd.

“It has always been a to-and-fro process. We submit the report, then HSSI reviews and gives comments.

“Then, the report goes to the company, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) and it comes back to the state government, ” he said yesterday.

The state, he said, had no plans to stop the undersea tunnel project despite Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s statement about upgrading the Penang ferries and using catamarans.

“We have not made any decision to stop the project as the feasibility studies are still being done.

“Our top priority project is the 5.7km Ayer Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (LCE) bypass, which we hope can start in one to two months, ” he said.