TWO major infrastructure projects in Penang have witnessed good progress towards completion as the state copes with four major development projects simultaneously.
Besides the start of the RM16.8 billion Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) project and the ongoing Silicon Island reclamation, the Penang Hill cable car and the highway bypass linking Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway are also beginning.
The expressway is slated to be close to completion, according to state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai, who is the Paya Terubong assemblyman.
The cable car project has reached 31% completion, with the first of its 15 cable car support towers now erected.
The project, which began in June 2024, had experienced some delays following several months of heavy rain in Penang, but construction has recently accelerated as weather conditions improved.
The first tower erected is Tower No. 3, located in the Botanical Gardens area, and stands at 15 metres high.
The contractor will monitor its stability before proceeding with the assembly and installation of Tower No. 2.
Towers further along the route are expected to be considerably taller.
It will operate 50 eight-passenger cabins at a speed of six metres per second, with a capacity of about 1,000 passengers per hour.
The state government is targeting operations to begin in June 2027.
Project costs have risen from an initial estimate of RM245 million to about RM367.2 million.
All bridge beams on the Bandar Baru Air Itam side have been successfully installed.
Construction teams are now focusing on the bridge deck slabs and parapet works.
Sharing the latest updates following a project progress meeting with the construction team, Wong said the installation of bridge beams on the Gelugor side is also advancing steadily.
Twelve bridge beams are expected to be lifted into place between July and August this year, while the remaining six beams are scheduled for installation in the third or fourth quarter of 2026.
He added that the contractor has reaffirmed that the project remains on track and is expected to be completed as scheduled in April 2027. - August 10, 2026.
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