PENANG hailed the allocation of funds from the federal government to widen Jalan Teluk Kumar - an important link between Balik Pulau and Bayan Lepas from two to four lanes under the proposed 13th Malaysia Plan.
State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, who oversees infrastructure, revealed that the federal road coded FT006, is a crucial traffic dispersal road.
Zairil said in a statement that the decision to upgrade the road is timely in view of the growing importance of the road for commuters here.
"The decision should ease congestion," said Zairil.
The move is however, subjected to final approval from the Economic Ministry.
The additional lanes are also a welcome safety feature and will speed up travel between Teluk Kumbar and the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, as well as link to the Sultan Muadzam Shah Bridge (Second Penang Bridge) further north.
The upgrade will stretch up to 4.5km which also links the island's biggest district - Balik Pulau with George Town - the administrative and commercial capital of the state.
The upgrade will begin from the Sungai Mati Bridge to the SMK Teluk Kumbar school.
Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz also hopes that the project can begin by next year in as the road is critical to disperse traffic.
He also thanked the Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik for lobbying for the project. - August 6, 2025.
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