GEORGE TOWN – The fate of the controversial Penang undersea tunnel mega-project will be decided this month, said Chow Kon Yeow.
The chief minister said the state government will receive the complete feasibility study, presented by a consultant, within a week or two.
“In the near future, we will receive the undersea tunnel feasibility study report as promised.
“After examining the feasibility study, the state government will make a decision,” he said when met after officiating the Evening Walk and Ride programme at the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway, today.
Last year Chow confirmed the undersea tunnel feasibility report had been completed and would be tabled in the state government meeting as soon as all comments from technical agencies, including federal agencies, were received.
Chow also did not rule out the possibility of building the bridge as a third link, but said it would only be considered after the feasibility study report is officially presented to the state government.
The project was awarded to Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) in 2013. However, the draft of the feasibility study report was only successfully completed in 2019.
The 7.2km tunnel project, which connects Persiaran Gurney to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Prai, is under the Penang Transport Master Plan.
It is a state government initiative project with an estimated cost of RM46 billion, comprising an undersea tunnel connecting the island to the mainland, highways, light rail transit, monorail and a comprehensive network of bus routes on the island and mainland. – The Vibes, January 12, 2022