GEORGE TOWN: The road linking Lebuhraya Thean Teik in Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway on the island is just a part of slew of mega mobility and infrastructure projects planned to ease congestion and cater for rising vehicle numbers.
Called the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), it will see new highways and roads to provide an efficient road network and connectivity, alongside a reliable public transport system.
ALSO READ: Big bypass bother for residents
Package Two, which links Air Itam to Glugor, and two other road projects – North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) linking Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang (Package One) and Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Three) – are part of a traffic dispersal system for the proposed RM6.3bil Penang Undersea Tunnel project.
The three major roads and tunnel project were awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd in September 2013.
The master plan also proposes the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) as a second spine road to ease the congestion on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
PIL 1, to be undertaken by SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, will provide a ring traffic dispersal system connecting the NCPR, Gurney Expressway, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Penang International Airport, Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
There are also the Pan Island Link 2 and 2A, which will form the Southern Ring Road for the island, catering to future development in Balik Pulau in the west and Teluk Kumbar in the south.
PIL 2, which will be linked to PIL 1, will also be connected to Island B of the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI), or three-islands, project.
PIL 2A will be the main link between Penang island and PSI’s Island A.
The two components are still at the proposal stage and subject to approval and changes in the future.
