GEORGE TOWN: The Jalan Paya Terubong (Bukit Kukus) paired road project spanning 5km and costing RM730mil, originally slated for completion next year, has been delayed to 2028.
Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said only one out of three segments of the project, which started construction in 2016, has been completed and opened to traffic.
"The 2.8km segment by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was completed in December 2021 and already opened to traffic.
"Two remaining segments by Geo Valley Sdn Bhd and PLB Land Sdn Bhd are still under construction.
"Geo Valley will build the other 800m segment that is expected to be completed in 2027.
"PLB Land will complete the final 1.4km segment in 2028," he told the state assembly on Wednesday (Nov 27).
Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam) had asked for an update on the project.
Asked if any action would be taken against the developers if there were further delays, H'ng said the road construction would have to be completed before any Certificate Of Completion And Compliance (CCC) is awarded for their other projects.
He said completion of the roads was among the conditions imposed when the developers applied for planning permission for their housing developments in that area.
Touted as the highest elevated highway in the country at 61.5m above ground and connecting Lebuhraya Thean Teik in Bandar Baru Air Itam to Lebuh Bukit Jambul, the project was mooted in 2014, two years before construction began.
The ongoing roadworks have left motorists travelling south-west on the island facing gridlock during peak hours.
For now, the winding and hilly Jalan Paya Terubong remains the sole artery for road users from the densely populated Bandar Baru Air Itam, Paya Terubong and Air Itam to get to Bukit Jambul, Relau and Balik Pulau and back.
