GEORGE TOWN: Two condominiums in Island Park here, which is located next to the under-construction RM850mil Air Itam bypass, have been damaged by debris from blasting works at the worksite.
The two affected are the Jay Series Condominium and King Fisher Series Condominium.
Jay Series management committee manager Law Poh Cheok said flying debris and soil from the blasting works caused damage to rooftops in the condominium, adding that the swimming pool and barbecue areas also sustained damage.
"Soil and debris flew 300m to 400m and landed in our compound," he said on Wednesday (April 17).
Law, a resident, also said several cars were also damaged.
He said no one was injured as many residents were at work and children were in school.
He also said a discussion was held between the apartment's management committee and the construction company.
"The company has admitted fault and agreed to bear responsibility over the incident," he said.
There are 346 units at Jay Series and about 400 units at Kingfisher.
Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng said she had instructed her team to assess the extent of damage.
"I have also instructed the company responsible to cooperate with affected residents," she said.
She said a stern warning was issued to the construction company not to allow a repeat of the incident and to conduct a proper investigation.
The construction of the Package Two bypass connecting Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway reached the 42% completion stage in January this year.
The RM851.04mil project is expected to reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to under 10 minutes.
Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd is the design and build contractor, while Penang Infrastructure Corporation is the implementing agency for the project.
Package Two comprises three interchanges – Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway) which will involve a left in-left out junction and an elevated U-turn.
Other project scopes include upgrading and improving the drainage system, upgrading existing roads in the project area and utility relocation work.
The project is tentatively scheduled for completion next year.
