Anwar wants Penang traffic dispersal project fast-tracked

BUTTERWORTH: The traffic dispersal project between Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas must be fast-tracked to bring direct ­benefits to the public and translate into economic savings, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the RM3bil project would benefit not only Penangites but also people from Kedah, Perlis and those ­travelling north to Thailand or southward.

“Coordination and technical matters must be resolved quickly.

“Every month saved (to carry out the project) translates into economic savings and greater convenience for the people,” he said when launching the project at Tapak Ekspo Seberang Jaya.

Upon completion, some 200,000 motorists are expected to benefit from this new 17.3km route, reducing travel time from one hour to 20 minutes during peak hours.

Construction is scheduled over 48 months, with physical work for Package 1 slated to start this month while the other packages are expected to begin by mid-2026.

The entire project is targeted for completion by mid-2030.

Future plan: Anwar looking at a scale model during the traffic dispersal project’s groundbreaking ceremony. With him are (from left) PLUS managing director Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar, Work Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Azman Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Human Resource Minister Steven Sim. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Anwar also said the Federal Government will extend the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project alignment to Seberang Perai to ensure balanced development in the state.

The Prime Minister said he ­personally decided on this after reviewing the original proposal, which only involved areas on the island without connecting the line to the mainland.

“They (opposition) asked why the cost of the Penang LRT project is so high. When the state government presented the plan to me, the project only covered the island.

“As someone born in Penang and raised in Seberang Perai, I did not want the project to stop there.

“I proposed that the LRT ­crosses the sea and the project will extend to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai.

“Otherwise, people will say we only care about the island, only about Chinese interests, and not about the mainland or the Malays. This is an unproductive polemic,” he added.

Anwar said the extension of the line to Seberang Perai would ensure areas such as Permatang Pauh, Bagan and Nibong Tebal also benefit from the modern transport system, while enhancing connectivity between both regions of the state.

The Prime Minister later opened the Seberang Perai Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) at the Penang Sentral Transport Terminal.

Services at the UTC are ­expected to benefit more than one ­million residents in surrounding areas, including the southern ­border of Kedah and northern Perak.