Island’s bypass may be ready mid-2026

DESPITE a one-year delay, no additional costs are incurred in the construction of the RM850mil Package Two bypass which connects Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (LCE).

Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this was because the project had been granted an Extension of Time due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and land acquisition issues during the early stages of construction.

He said the estimated completion date had been pushed to the end of 2026, from the original target of 2025.

In spite of the challenges, Zairil said the state was optimistic that the project could be completed ahead of its revised deadline.

As of Feb 28, the project was reaching 73% completion.

“We are still waiting for approval from the Malaysian Highway Authority for the final section at the LCE.

“The approval concerns technical issues which we hope to resolve soon.

“It relates to technical adjustments involving the weaving of the elevated U-turn, and we are still refining the design based on feedback from PLUS Malaysia Bhd.

“We also faced delays due to grave relocation and land acquisition involving seven ministries.

“But we are now on track and may complete the project ahead of schedule, as early as mid-2026,” he added.

During a visit to the project site at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Gelugor, Zairil led a delegation of key authorities to inspect the installation of massive beams, a crucial phase of the elevated road construction.

A total of six beams, each weighing a staggering 140 tonnes, were positioned at this section, with three supporting each side of the carriageway.

Work is progressing well on the bypass connecting Air Itam to the LCE on Penang island.

Similar installations are scheduled for other key sections, including Jalan Bukit Gambir.

Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said those staying in the area have been looking forward to the project’s completion as it would be toll-free and would reduce traffic congestion in the area.

“However, do bear with the inconvenience during construction as building a highway with all the beams and giant structures in a populated area is challenging.

“The side near Lebuhraya Thean Teik can be completed earlier but we still have to wait for the other sections to be complete before the project can be opened to vehicles for use,” said Wong, who has been updating the public on the project through his Facebook page.

Although the groundbreaking ceremony was held in 2019, construction of the RM851.04mil project only began in 2021.

It is among four packages under the Penang Undersea tunnel and three major road projects that had been awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd in September 2013.

The consortium is the design-and-build contractor while Penang Infrastructure Corporation is the implementing agency.

The 6km toll-free road will have a 1.8km ground-level stretch while other stretches will be elevated through viaduct structures (65%), tunnels (20%) and grade sections (15%).

It will consist of three interchanges: Lebuhraya Thean Teik, Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Junction, and the LCE which will involve a “left-in, left-out” access and an elevated U-turn.

Its alignment and two other road projects are part of the island traffic dispersal system of the proposed Penang Undersea Tunnel, a 7.2km tunnel in the seabed between Gurney Drive on the island and Bagan Ajam in Butterworth, Seberang Perai.

Once completed, it is expected to reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and the LCE to under 10 minutes.

This is expected to benefit Penangites in the long term, especially the population of 300,000 in Air Itam, Bandar Baru Air Itam and Paya Terubong.

The other two paired roads are the RM2.93bil North Coastal Paired Road (10.61km) linking Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang, and the Gurney Drive-LCE paired road (4.1km).