THE RM851 million Air Itam - Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway highway bypass project is expected to reduce the worsening traffic congestion in Penang.
Scheduled to be ready by April next year, pending approval on the technical and road safety audit grounds, the bypass would allow travellers to reach the main expressway within seven minutes.
The present commute may take 60 minutes due to congestion, although the distance from Air Itam to the expressway is only 11km.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed confidence that the project would be ready, as the project delivery partner, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC), had committed to completing it.
Despite the cash flow shortfall of about RM50 million, Chow said that CZC, through its managing director, Tan Sri Dr Khor Eng Chuen, is committed to completing it on schedule.
The two - way road project is the first under the RM30 billion Penang Transport Master Plan - an ambitious master list to disperse traffic efficiently here.
It is also the second major infrastructure project to be completed under the DAP - led administration, which has ruled Penang since 2008.
As of Sept 30, the project progress rate was 93.19%.
“The number of working teams has been increased to speed up work and meet the targeted timeframe,” Chow said after visiting the project site at Gelugor together with state executive councillors Zairil Khir Johari, Wong Hon Wai and Lim Siew Khim.
The main roadworks, such as the construction of bridge structures and viaducts, had been completed, said Chow, whose entourage drove through the bypass.
The focus is now on remedial works like connecting parapets, installing road barriers, and road tarring.
“Before it is opened to the public, this route must undergo a technical compliance inspection and a road safety audit to ensure that all technical standards and safety requirements are met," said Chow.
Chow was also confident that CZC would be glad to receive the land allotment exercise, which is part of the land swap deal brokered by the state government.
Chow also sought to assure that the state government would not face a funding crunch following reports that there were no bidders for the auction of 2.44ha of land in Gurney Bay intended to finance the remainder of the project, which costs RM50 million.
The 5.7km bypass will connect Air Itam and Farlim directly to the expressway.
It is expected to shorten travelling time and ease congestion along much of Green Lane, Air Itam and Jalan Masjid Negri, said Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus.
The project was awarded to CZC in September 2013, and despite hiccups, the project is on track to be completed by next year. - October 24, 2026.