Latest news with #PenangTransportMasterPlan
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang may scrap undersea tunnel plan, says exco
The 7.2km-long undersea tunnel and roads project is part of the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. (File pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Penang government is considering replacing its long-proposed undersea tunnel with a bridge connecting the island to the mainland, says state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari. 'We are considering a new design proposal to replace the undersea tunnel with a bridge across the Penang Strait,' he told the state assembly during his winding-up speech. He said the bridge may link Pulau Tikus on the island to Bagan Ajam on the mainland. It may be the third bridge linking the island to the mainland. Zairil, the state infrastructure committee chairman, said a feasibility study — including the bridge option and other alternatives — was completed in 2023. He added that an implementation study for the new design is expected to be completed soon, after which the final design will be confirmed. 'Once the study is complete, we will finalise the new design. A traffic impact assessment and all other necessary evaluations will be conducted after that,' he said. The undersea tunnel project, first proposed in 2011 as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was intended to connect George Town to Butterworth via a 7.2km tunnel. Earlier, in a written reply to Lee Khai Loon (PH–Machang Bubok), Zairil said the tunnel project was still relevant and could benefit both the public and state's development. He said the tunnel would help alleviate congestion on routes leading to the first Penang Bridge by diverting traffic onto the new link. 'The new design presents a practical alternative to advance the Third Link project (undersea tunnel project), considering efficiency, feasibility, and social and environmental impacts,' he said. AdChoices ADVERTISING On Feb 26, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said the tunnel's feasibility study was still under review. It was previously reported that the state was also considering external factors that could affect the project, including the planned expansion of the Butterworth port, which might impact the tunnel's proposed exit.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang MJLLS converting undersea tunnel into bridge
GEORGE TOWN: The state government is considering a new design change for the Penang Third Link project from an undersea tunnel to a bridge across the Penang Strait. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said a feasibility study was finalised in 2023, to include the possibility of a new design, either a bridge or an alternative design. 'The feasibility study for this alternative design will be completed in the near future and the new design is expected to be finalised after the study is completed. 'The Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and all appropriate assessments will be carried out after the conceptual design is finalised,' he said when winding up the debate on the opening address by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Third Line project will likely change its alignment and design. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the feasibility study for the tunnel project is still at the research stage and the state government was looking into several matters, including the expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) port, which involves the alignment of the project. The undersea tunnel project along the 6.5-kilometre stretch connecting Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The state assembly session continues tomorrow.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Undersea Tunnel Project Remains Relevant, Beneficial
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang Undersea Tunnel project remains relevant and is expected to bring positive impact to the people and the state's development, said State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the project would help ease severe traffic congestion on access roads to the First Penang Bridge, especially by diverting high traffic volumes in both directions to the proposed tunnel route. 'The new design for the undersea tunnel offers a viable and significant alternative to ensure continuity and direction for the Third Link project. 'It takes into account efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, as well as social and environmental impact,' he said. Zairil was responding in writing to a question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today, regarding the rationale for allowing Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd additional time to produce a new design and conduct a feasibility study. He added that the state government remains optimistic about the project's feasibility but retains the right to decide on its implementation based on the findings of the study and the terms of the Master Agreement with the contractor. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the project's feasibility study is still under review. The state government is also considering several related factors, including the proposed expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), which affects the tunnel's alignment. The 6.5-kilometre tunnel, intended to link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland, is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). -- BERNAMA
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang undersea tunnel project remains relevant, beneficial
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Undersea Tunnel project remains relevant and is expected to bring positive impact to the people and the state's development, said State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the project would help ease severe traffic congestion on access roads to the First Penang Bridge, especially by diverting high traffic volumes in both directions to the proposed tunnel route. 'The new design for the undersea tunnel offers a viable and significant alternative to ensure continuity and direction for the Third Link project. 'It takes into account efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, as well as social and environmental impact,' he said. Zairil was responding in writing to a question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today, regarding the rationale for allowing Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd additional time to produce a new design and conduct a feasibility study. He added that the state government remains optimistic about the project's feasibility but retains the right to decide on its implementation based on the findings of the study and the terms of the Master Agreement with the contractor. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the project's feasibility study is still under review. The state government is also considering several related factors, including the proposed expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), which affects the tunnel's alignment. The 6.5-kilometre tunnel, intended to link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland, is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang water taxi project postponed as company fails to meet prerequisites
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government's intention to introduce a water taxi service in the state has had to be postponed after the selected company failed to meet the approval conditions set by relevant agencies. State Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the project, which received conditional approval from the Transport Ministry (MoT) had undergone several phases, including the company selection process through the Request for Proposal (RFP) method. The project proposal was submitted to MoT on April 25, 2022, and conditional approval was granted via a letter dated Oct 18 the same year. "The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) called for RFP proposals to appoint a company interested in implementing the service. "The RFP was advertised on Dec 12, 2022 and closed on Feb 27, 2023. Two companies submitted proposals and underwent an evaluation process by the MBPP's technical evaluation committee," he said. Zairil (PH-Tanjung Bungah) said this in response to a written question from Teh Lai Heng (PH-Komtar) regarding the latest status of the water taxi service during the state legislative assembly sitting today. He said one of the companies was selected and issued a letter of intent to proceed with the project. "However, the company failed to obtain all the necessary approvals from relevant agencies such as the Marine Department, Penang Port Commission (SPPP), District and Land Office, and the Maritime Department. "As a result of this failure, the MBPP procurement board decided to cancel the RFP, and a cancellation letter was issued to the company on April 17. "The state government is currently in discussions with the MoT to re-evaluate the terms and feasibility of the project in more detail," he added. Zairil said if the RFP is reopened in the future, the state government hoped that interested companies would be truly prepared and have the capacity to meet all the required conditions. The water taxi project was originally proposed to operate at four jetty locations identified as suitable pick-up and drop-off points for passengers. The project, which was expected to begin operations in 2024, was envisioned as a new mode of public transportation for Penang residents. The water taxi service is also included in the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Following that, the state government and MBPP opened the RFP in 2022 for companies interested in bidding for the project.
