Pressing need for underpass in Penang

The Star

3 days ago

ONCE a quiet neighbourhood, Mount Erskine in northwestern George Town, Penang, is historically known for its Chinese cemeteries and low-rise homes.
Before the early 2000s, the area had basic infrastructure and a laid-back, suburban feel.
But as George Town became increasingly dense, developers began transforming the suburb into a hub of high-rise developments and modern living.
Traffic at a standstill along Jalan Gottlieb in George Town, Penang.
Today, one of its main roads – Lebuhraya Halia – leads into a vertical neighbourhood of private condominiums and affordable high-rises.
Situated between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, this area is a strategic choice for middle-class and upwardly-mobile families.
Mohamad Haziq: Riding a motorcycle is the only way to avoid being stuck in traffic from Jelutong to Tanjung Tokong. However, this growing appeal has also led to bottlenecks and
a pressing need for improved infrastructure.
Rapid development here as well as along its supporting roads have resulted in severe traffic congestion during peak hours.
Residents have, for years, voiced their concerns but traffic still remains their main grievance.
Congestion relief plan
The Jalan Burma–Jalan Gottlieb–Jalan Bagan Jermal–Jalan Mount Erskine intersection serves as a crucial access route for Tanjung Bungah and Tanjung Tokong residents heading to the southwest district or mainland via either the Penang Bridge or second Penang Bridge.
Tang's commute from Bayan Lepas to her workplace in Tanjung Tokong, results in her spending hours caught in traffic. In 2019, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) announced plans to build an underpass at the intersection to address persistent traffic woes.
At the time, traffic flow in the area was described as 'messy during peak hours,' and the city council projected a daily traffic volume of up to 58,500 vehicles by 2024, based on a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) report.
Additionally, around 10,000 new housing units were built in and around Mount Erskine, Jalan Fettes and Jalan Lembah Permai.
Earlier this year, the underpass project was one of eight Penang initiatives being considered for funding by Economy Ministry.
Woo: MBPP submitted details on the scale and impact of the underpass project to the Federal Government for funding. Penang infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the underpass was essential to ease traffic flow, especially for those living along the Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah residential corridor.
He said the project would cost RM35mil, with land acquisition requiring another RM23.9mil.
He added that the land acquisition process, for the 700m stretch from Jalan Mount Erskine to Jalan Burma (up to Adventist Hospital), had been completed.
The acquisition involved 20 lots totalling 4,430sq m – two owned by MBPP, two belonging to the Federal Government and 16 with private owners.
The state government is currently awaiting the project's official approval from the Federal Government under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
'If the Federal Government does not approve it, the state will consider other options to proceed with construction,' Zairil said when contacted by StarMetro.
Zairil: Land acquisition is completed for the 700m stretch from Jalan Mount Erskine to Jalan Burma (up to Adventist Hospital). Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo said the area served as a vital artery for daily commuters travelling between residential neighbourhoods, schools and the city centre.
Recognising the urgency of the issue, he said MBPP had submitted details on the scale and impact of the underpass project to the Federal Government for funding.
'The area, along with its connecting roads, has long been a source of heavy congestion, especially during peak hours.
'Bottlenecks not only cause significant delays but also affect the quality of life for residents and road users,' he said.
He added that bottlenecks also increased travel time, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
'As urban traffic continues to worsen, timely intervention is crucial to prevent further strain on Penang's transportation network.
'The plan's success will depend on intergovernmental collaboration and prioritisation of infrastructure investments that directly benefit the people,' said Woo.
He said the project, if approved, would mark a significant step forward in addressing traffic woes and improving mobility for thousands of road users.
Commuting struggles
A company chief operating officer Jasmon Lim, 42, who lives in Tanjung Bungah and commutes daily to and from work on the mainland in Batu Kawan, Seberang Perai, is constantly stuck in traffic.
'I drive from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Kawan and back, usually during peak hours, every day.
'Just getting out of Tanjung Bungah and passing Gurney Drive takes about 30 minutes.
'Traffic starts building up near the Tanjung Tokong area and is slow moving from there,' he said.
Lim said he first noticed traffic worsening about eight years ago due to significant development, including a surge in new housing projects in the area.
'Ideally, the road should have a few more lanes to accommodate the increased traffic, but it still only has two,' he said.
'With all the new high-rise developments, it has become a high-density zone.
'Years ago, there were fewer condominiums and buildings.'
Lim said it could sometimes take him up to two hours to get home from Batu Kawan, depending on the time.
'There are times when traffic is at a complete standstill on the way back to Tanjung Bungah.
'An underpass from Jalan Burma and Jalan Mount Erskine will help divert traffic and ease congestion significantly.
'Measures taken to divert traffic away from this stretch, especially during peak hours, will make a huge difference for commuters.
'It would be ideal to reroute traffic onto main roads and away from densely populated areas.
'I really hope the project starts soon,' he said.
Pharmacist Tang Shin Wei, 28, commutes daily from Bayan Lepas to her workplace in Fettes Park, Tanjung Tokong, which is almost to the opposite end of the island.
On bad days, it takes her up to an hour and a half to get home.
'When I leave work during peak hours, around 4.45pm or 5.45pm, it becomes really exhausting.
'I am usually stuck in near-standstill traffic, inching forward through the Mount Erskine, Bayan Lepas and Jelutong areas,' she said.
Tang once tried avoiding the congestion by following shortcuts suggested by her navigation app.
'It did guide me to a supposedly faster route, but it took me through a residential area where cars were parked everywhere.
'It was hard to navigate, and I ended up wasting more time trying to squeeze past parked vehicles,' she said, adding that she now preferred staying on the main road because she knew where she was headed.
Store manager Mohamad Haziq Abdul Rahim, 31, who lives in Jelutong and works in Tanjung Tokong, said riding a motorcycle was the only way he could avoid being stuck in traffic.
'This area always has heavy traffic. Even near my house, it is packed with cars.
'I may be using a motorcycle, but I still have to go through traffic, and sometimes manoeuvring around these cars takes up time,' he said.
Mohamad Haziq still chooses to ride his motorcycle to work even when it rains, as he finds it too stressful driving a car through the traffic in Jelutong, Jalan Masjid Negeri and Mount Erskine.
He has also noticed an increase in traffic in the area in recent years.
'There have been more developments, eateries and shopping spots around here.
'That has brought more people to this side of the island, and traffic has worsened.
'There are days when I am just glad I am already at work and not stuck in a car on the main road.
'There are only a few narrow lanes, and that just adds to the congestion,' he pointed out.
Mohamad Haziq said he hoped plans were in place to fix or expand the roads.
'Something has to be done,' he said.
'There are just too many cars on the road now. We need to cater to the growing population here.'