GEORGE TOWN: It’s a sight previously unseen unless you were on a boat at sea.
The looming towers that line Persiaran Gurney light up the sky like a fairyland on the left. On the right, tall rolling hills offer a green scenery all the way to Tanjung Bungah.
And now you don’t need a boat. This is the view from the new Gurney Bridge that links Penang island to the man-made Andaman Island.
The bridge, designed to be a signature landmark along Penang’s northern seafront, also features a 4m-wide pedestrian walkway on both sides.
Scores of motorists have been stopping on the bridge road known as Jalan Andaman every day, because the panorama from there is just too beautiful to resist.
Some even park their cars, bring out foldable chairs and picnic items, turning parts of the walkway into informal recreational spots.
The eight-lane, 1.2km-long bridge, which opened on Dec 12, has become the state’s latest sightseeing hotspot, except for one problem.
It is an offence to park vehicles on any bridge.
The good thing is parking on this bridge is not officially an offence, just yet.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement director Noorazrein Noorazlan Ong said Jalan Andaman is a newly-opened road by the project developer and has not been officially handed over to MBPP or gazetted.
“The developer has allowed public access during certain hours, and their security team does regular patrolling along the bridge road to monitor the situation.
“The council’s enforcement department will also conduct patrols and take a proactive approach by advising road users first.
“So far, MBPP has not received any formal complaints about drivers stopping by the roadside or any traffic congestion in the area,” he said.
Netizens have commented on the rampant stopping of cars on the bridge, with some questioning if it is legal.
Unperturbed by the controversy on social media, visitors continue to arrive in vehicles.
Engineer Mohd Afiq Zainal, 34, who visited the bridge after work to unwind, said it was his spot for “healing” and escaping from the city’s hustle and bustle.
“I work long hours and spend most of my day indoors, so coming here helps me clear my head.
“The sea breeze, the view and the open space make me feel calm, especially during sunset,” he said.
For housewife Lim Wei Ling, 39, the bridge has become a weekend destination for her family.
Accompanied by her 41-year-old husband and two children aged eight and 11, she was seen spending time around a table the family had brought along.
“We bring simple snacks and just sit together to enjoy the view.
“It’s rare to find a place where we can relax without spending money, and the kids enjoy watching the sky changes colour,” she said.
Her family hopes the bridge will remain accessible to everyone, and there will be proper parking spaces and rubbish bins.
