PENANG has expressed its gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allocating funds under next year's proposed fiscal Budget to ease the growing traffic congestion in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow singled out five key projects which when completed, can disperse traffic better and improve public healthcare services in semi-rural localities here.
He also stressed the importance of implementing and fast-tracking projects due to its importance to the people's mobility, as the construction phase requires time.
State executive councilor for infrastructure, Zairil Khir Johari, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Seng also praised the budget allocation, and that the Mount Erskine underpass tunnel road onwards to Burmah Road, is an important project.
The new infrastructure can reduce the congestion along the main traffic inter - junction of Mount Erskine - Gottlieb Road - Burmah Road and Bagan Jermal Road.
Chow also said the expansion of the Juru toll stretch to Sungai Dua along the North - South Expressway was another crucial piece in reducing bottlenecks in Penang.
The state's second Urban Transformation Center (UTC) is also expected to be completed soon in Prai after the first one in Komtar on the island.
Chow also recorded his gratitude to the federal side for assisting with the national flood mitigation project at Sungai Nyuir with part of RM2.2 billion channeled to Penang to resolve the issue at Kepala Batas.
He added that there would be more funds allocated for affordable housing, both on the island and the mainland. - October 11, 2025.
