GEORGE TOWN – Land clearing for the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass has caused concern among residents living in the vicinity of the hillslope behind the Island Park neighbourhood.
Resident Bernard Lim shared photographs of the land clearing, and following last month’s landslide in Batang Kali in Selangor where up to 31 people were killed, he stressed that their concerns are valid and not an overreaction.
Lim said the contractor needs to reassure the residents here about the safety and security of the project.
The overpass highway is package two of the three highways that the contractor under the project delivery partner of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd needs to fulfil under the Penang Transport Master Plan.
The other packages are a similar overpass from Gurney Drive to the same expressway and the third package is an elevated road linking Tg Bungah to Teluk Bahang through the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt.
A journalist who lives around the area, also expressed her concerns as the land clearing is over a colony of affordable housing schemes, and she dreads to think what may happen if a landslide occurs.
However, an officer with the Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid’s office posted on social media that they have conducted a dialogue session with the contractor, and was given an assurance.
“They have done all the necessary work to make sure all the excavation is done safely,” the officer said.
But the journalist, who preferred not to be named, said landslides can occur at any time, despite various assurances in the past.
“If they can find another way, it is best to avoid hill cutting due to the unstable soil formation, worsened by the effects of climate change.”
Penang Island city councillor Quah Boon Lim said residents who remained unconvinced can continue to engage the contractor.
They have a hotline at 1300-88-9700 and a Facebook page that provides updates.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said the main construction of the package two bypass will only begin in August.
This is because there is a need to first install a ramp and such work will be constructed by a different contractor – the IJM Group, said Zairil.
The construction pace has achieved a 27% completion rate.
Pier works, bored pile work, and road widening is taking place in the Farlim area, in front of Farlim Complex.
The construction will also see a left-in/left-out interchange and an elevated U-turn road.
The entire package two bypass from Air Itam to the expressway is expected to be completed in early 2025, he said. – The Vibes, January 28, 2023
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