GEORGE TOWN: The state government has greenlit a feasibility study for the proposed undersea tunnel project linking Penang Island to Butterworth in Seberang Perai, says Chow Kon Yeow.
The Penang Chief Minister said Consortium Zenith Construction will conduct a feasibility study as the company seeks to restructure its plan for the undersea tunnel project.
"I hope it (the study) will be completed within a few months.
“From time to time, they will update us (the state government).
"However, the project will still take a long time, as it involves multiple stakeholders,” he told the press after presenting cheques to mission school representatives at Komtar on Friday (Feb 28).
Chow was responding to questions by the press on the feasibility study and its timeline.
The Penang Undersea Tunnel Project is part of the Penang government's Transport Master Plan.
The 7.2km undersea tunnel is planned to connect George Town on Penang Island to Butterworth in Seberang Perai, along with three major highways.
This includes the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road (10.53km), the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (5.7km), and the Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway paired road (4.1km).
It was reported recently that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said that the proposed project overlaps with the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion and requires input from various stakeholders, particularly the Penang Port Commission.
Nga also said the project needs the National Physical Planning Council's (NPPC) review.
He said this is for the NPPC to advise on the project's significant developmental impact, particularly on the environment and the effects of tunnel construction on fishing activities.
On a separate matter, Chow said the state government has not been consulted on the potential introduction of congestion charges in George Town, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Baru.
On Thursday (Feb 27), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa told the Dewan Rakyat that George Town, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru are the three cities identified for the initial rollout of proposed congestion charges.
"The proposed charges are still being studied by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation.
"The aspects being studied include the implementation mechanism, potential reduction in traffic volume, and projected uptake of public transport if the congestion charge is introduced.
"The study is expected to be completed by this year," she said during Ministers' Question Time.
