Penang should look at need, effects of 3rd bridge - senior minister

 

The Penang state government should look into several matters before proceeding with plans to build a third bridge to replace the undersea tunnel, said Senior Works Minister Fadillah Yusof.

"In the implementation of any project, we should look at a number of things, in particular the preliminary study on the need of the project," he said.

He said things to look at include the social-economic impact, effects on the environment, and a cost-benefit analysis.

"I refuse to comment further because so far, the ministry has not received an official application from the state government," he said.

Fadillah (above) was speaking in a press conference after officiating the handing over of a federal route and bridge upgrade project in Nibong Tebal, Penang.

Previously, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was reported as saying the feasibility study of the undersea tunnel project had been completed.

He said the study would be presented to the Penang State Council Meeting soon, once all comments from technical agencies, including those at the federal level, were received.

Chow added that the state government would not rule out the possibility of building a bridge as a third link to replace the undersea tunnel project.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said his ministry was committed to playing a role in driving the country's economy, where the construction sector contributes about 4.5 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"Every RM1 million that the ministry allocates for this sector has a 'multiplier effect' of at least 2.8 times.

"The construction sector is very important because it has a 'spillover effect' on other sectors such as the services and banking sectors," he said.

- Bernama