PENANG'S ongoing infrastructure developments are progressing rapidly, thanks to strong cooperation between both state and federal governments, along with key stakeholders, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Speaking at a recent event marking the open house for Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC), Chow emphasised the major strides being made in several large-scale projects spearheaded by the company.
Among these critical initiatives are key developments such as the construction of the main roads and the Third Link, which involves two bypass routes connecting the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Ayer Itam, as well as a new alignment for the North Coast Paired Road (NCPR) from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang.
“The Package 2 bypass from the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Ayer Itam is now more than 75% complete, with physical works expected to be finished by the end of this year,” said Chow. “This toll-free highway will dramatically cut travel time from 40 minutes to just five minutes, significantly easing traffic congestion."
The Chief Minister also provided updates on the NCPR Package 1, revealing that the project is in the final stages of its sub-agreement process, with physical work set to begin either at the end of this year or early next year.
“Aside from alleviating congestion, this project will reduce travel time from 45 minutes to just 10 minutes,” he added.
Chow had previously announced that the Penang state government had approved a new alignment for the NCPR, stretching from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, with the project estimated to cost RM2.43 billion. The new 10.61-kilometre route will comprise 8.41 kilometres of main road and 2.2 kilometres of coastal road.
In his remarks, Chow highlighted the momentum building in Penang’s infrastructure sector, which is set to improve traffic flow and provide enhanced accessibility across the island. – April 7, 2025
