Penang confirms third bridge being considered as alternative to undersea tunnel
GEORGE TOWN: Penang is considering another bridge as the third link between the island and the mainland instead of an undersea tunnel.
Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government is considering a proposal to have a bridge across the Penang Straits instead.
"The feasibility study was completed in 2023, covering the viability of the new design, namely a bridge, or other alternative designs.
"The implementation study for this alternative design will be completed in the near future and the new design is expected to be finalised once the study is concluded," he said in his winding-up speech during the state assembly sitting on Wednesday (May 21).
Zairil said a Traffic Impact Assessment and any necessary evaluation would be carried out once the study concludes.
In February, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the third link for vehicular movement between the island and Seberang Prai would see a change in alignment.
He did not reveal details nor did he say if the third link would be an undersea tunnel or a bridge.
In 2021, it was reported that the state government had not ruled out the possibility of a third bridge to replace the proposed undersea tunnel project, part of a RM6.3bil mega project.
Penang currently has two bridges linking the island to the mainland.
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