A watchful eye on hill slopes

Monitoring for landslides: Construction site view of the Ayer Itam–Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass (Package Two) project at Bukit Hijau Paya from Changkat Delima in Island Glades, George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/ The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Frequent strict monitoring will be conducted by the authorities along the hill slope where the construction of the RM851mil Ayer Itam-Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass (Package Two) project is going on in view of the wet spell.

Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said besides the Public Works Department (JKR), the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will also carry out its own monitoring to prevent any landslides.“Recently, overgrown trees along the hill slope near the project have been trimmed to avoid any mishaps, especially during the current monsoon season,” he said.Wong said the engineers working on the Package Two project are conscious of the current weather conditions and have conducted several mitigating measures in the area, including putting up canvas sheets on the hill slope to prevent soil movement.

He advised the public, especially nearby residents, to inform the authorities immediately if they see any abnormalities or soil movement in the area.

“They should always be alert. If they see any changes in their areas, especially soil movement or a minor landslide, they should report it immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, Penang Fire and Rescue Department acting director Zulfahmi Sutaji said they will use the data provided by JKR and MBPP on landslide hotspots when carrying out their supervision at the hill slopes.

“We will keep tabs on the weather condition every day,” he said.

Zulfahmi advised those who regularly travel along the roads in hilly Paya Terubong to always stay alert and drive carefully.

“During heavy rain, trees could be uprooted and minor landslides could occur; this makes driving there quite dangerous,” he said.

Package Two of the project is a 6km toll-free road project costing RM851mil, which is part of the RM6.3bil undersea tunnel and three main roads project. It will have 1.8km on the ground, with the other parts elevated through viaduct structures (65%), tunnels (20%) and grade sections (15%).

The bypass will consist of three interchanges: Lebuhraya Thean Teik, Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah junction and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which will involve a “left in, left out” access and an elevated U-turn.

The bypass is expected to reduce travelling time and benefit Penangites in the long term, especially the 300,000 people living in Ayer Itam, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong.