Traffic congestion will be managed as big projects roll out, says Penang CM
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said it was likely that the Penang South Islands project, the Mutiara Line LRT and the construction of the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway would cause traffic congestion but this would only be temporary. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : The Penang government will implement effective traffic management strategies to minimise disruptions during the construction of upcoming large-scale projects, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
Chow acknowledged that projects such as the Penang South Islands (PSI) development, the Mutiara Line LRT, and the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway might lead to temporary traffic congestion, but said this was an expected impact of the development, Bernama reported.
'Many years ago, when our team visited Gamuda in Kuala Lumpur, when they were implementing the LRT project, we were introduced to the various traffic management strategies and a programme that they managed at that time during the construction phase.
'I believe all contractors involved in these major projects in Penang will take traffic dispersal into account.
'The key consideration is to maintain the original number of lanes during construction.
'Even if parts of the road need to be closed to vehicles, additional space must be created to ensure that the same number of lanes remains available,' he said at the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Micci) Northern Annual Luncheon Dialogue 2025.
With proper traffic management and patience from all road users, Chow was confident the state government would be able to mitigate the impact and make travelling more comfortable despite the congestion.
He also confirmed that the Penang LRT project was expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion projected within six to seven years, and that the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway was scheduled to commence by the end of the year.
When tabling the 2025 budget last October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several projects in Penang, including the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, the Mutiara Line LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP), and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project.
The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
Chow also noted that the state-led Penang South Islands (PSI) project was making progress, with 60.71ha of land already reclaimed over the past 18 months.
He said the state government was awaiting 'good news' from the federal government regarding incentive packages for potential purchasers of the land for industrial development.
PSI, or Silicon Island, covering a land area of 930.78ha, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government.
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