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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Batu Ferringhi coastal erosion project nears completion
GEORGE TOWN: The coastal erosion mitigation project at Batu Ferringhi has made significant progress, with sandbag installation works now 95 per cent completed. State Infrastructure, Transport and Utility Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the initiative, which started in April, was funded through an emergency allocation of RM250,000. "The project, covering a 130m stretch from Rasa Sayang Hotel to Golden Sands Hotel, is now in its final stages, with contractors focusing on finishing works," he said in his latest Facebook entry. He also showed several photos of the work done. Zairil said, in addition to the immediate response, a long-term solution was underway under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), with an estimated cost of RM61 million. He said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) is currently in the process of appointing surveyor for hydrographic survey of the coastline, which spans from Batu Ferringhi to Tanjung Bunga. "Physical works for the long-term solution are expected to begin next year or 2027," he added. During a visit here in April, Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the federal government had approved a RM61 million budget for vital restoration works for Batu Ferringhi following erosion issue. He said the project would focus on both immediate protection and long-term preservation, with particular details to maintaining the beach's attractiveness as a tourist destination. The design, to be finalised this year, would incorporate a combination of solutions such as breakwaters, sand nourishment, and other mitigation measures to stabilise the area and protect the 7km beachfront, stretching from Batu Ferringhi to Tanjung Bunga. The Batu Ferringhi beach, one of Penang's most iconic tourist destinations, has experienced considerable degradation over the past few years due to shifting sand and constant wave action.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang may opt for another bridge across Penang Straits for third link
GEORGE TOWN: Will Penang's third link be another bridge instead of the proposed undersea tunnel project? State Infrastructure, Transport and Utility Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari (DAP – Tanjung Bunga), in his winding-up speech during the state legislative assembly sitting this afternoon, said the state government is currently considering a proposal for a new design change, from an undersea tunnel to a bridge across the Penang Straits. "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. Zairil said a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and all other necessary evaluations would be carried out thereafter. In February, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the third link for vehicular movement between Penang island and Seberang Prai would involve a change in however, did not reveal details of the new alignment and remained non-committal as to whether the third link would be an undersea tunnel or another bridge. Back 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 connecting the island and the mainland. Penang already has two bridges, with the second bridge currently underutilised. The undersea tunnel is part of the RM6.3 billion mega project in the state.
