Bridging the gap: The newly opened Gurney Bridge is the first step in developing the Andaman Island township. — KT GOH/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The opening of the RM350mil Gurney Bridge has slashed travel time between the Andaman Island township and Gurney Drive from 15 minutes to just five.
The 1.2km bridge – featuring eight lanes and 4m-wide walkways on both sides – links the 212ha man-made island to the public spaces of Gurney Bay along Penang’s northern seafront.
It is expected to boost economic activity and tourism while improving accessibility for residents and visitors.
Kok Tuck Cheong, managing director of Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) which built the bridge, said it supports the vision of a 15-minute city that integrates homes, workplaces, hospitality and recreation.
“With this bridge, there is much more to come, not only on the residential front but also in the commercial components we will unveil in future phases,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the bridge, said the state remains mindful of traffic implications arising from possible major developments.
“When Penangites hear about new projects, they usually wonder if these projects will worsen traffic.
“I’ve been told that the Gurney Bridge provides an alternative route, disperses vehicle flow and smoothens travel along the northern seafront corridor,” he said.
Chow emphasised that the government must ensure regional road links keep pace with growth.
Among the major components planned for the state’s northern transport corridor are a proposed third link and three key highways, all part of the Penang Transport Master Plan.
The third link – either a bridge or undersea tunnel – would connect George Town on the island to Butterworth in Seberang Perai.
The three highways are the 10.61km Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang road, also known as the North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR), the 5.7km Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and the 4.1km Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway paired road.
“Planning must go ahead, and the NCPR will begin after the completion of the Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass.
“Whether the tunnel or bridge proceeds, provision has already been made. These projects are awaiting implementation, but planning must continue,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, state executive councillors, Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long, state finance officer Datuk Zabidah Safar and E&O executive chairman Datuk Seri Tee Eng Ho.
