The EIA Report for the traffic dispersal project is now on display for public to give their feedback.
Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow (left) holding up a satellite image of the proposed Pan Island Link 1 highway project. With him is state Public Works and Utilities Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
GEORGE TOWN: The proposed RM7.5 billion Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway traffic dispersal project will include a 10.5km tunnel that will bore through hills, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced today.
He said the tunnel, which will make up 70% of the 19.5km alignment, will cut through Bukit Bendera, Paya Terubong and Sungai Ara.
It will be at least 100 metres beneath the peak of the hills.
Chow said the tunnel will have less impact on the environment as the hills will not have to be cut for the highway.
He said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed project would be on public display for 30 days until Aug 10.
The PIL 1 will be a strategic bypass that runs along Gurney Drive, Gottlieb Road, Youth Park, Bukit Bendera, Paya Terubong, Sungai Ara, Bukit Gedung and Sungai Kluang.
From Sungai Kluang, it will connect to the elevated highway in Bayan Lepas and subsequently link to the Second Penang Bridge.
The PIL 1 will be implemented under the first phase of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
It will be a major step towards significantly alleviating traffic congestion on the island, by dispersing traffic within the George Town area.
“This bypass will take traffic from north to south in just 15 minutes, from the usual 30 minutes,” he said.
At present, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway is the only north-south expressway on the island.
Based on a traffic study, the expressway is experiencing peak-hour congestion due to high traffic volume.
“The traffic condition is expected to worsen if intervention measures are not implemented,” Chow said.
Minimal effect on Youth Park
Chow said the Youth Park was in the path of the highway and this could not be avoided.
A long-span cable-stayed bridge will run across Youth Park, with very few pillars.
“We don’t want pillars all along Youth Park. So, it will be just two pillars, one on each end. Youth Park can continue to be Youth Park,” he said.
Chow said strict mitigation measures, as prescribed in the EIA report, would be adhered to in implementing the project to ensure minimal disruption to the environment and interference to public daily activities.
“The Penang state government and the EIA consultant will respond to the Department of Environment (DoE) on all the written comments received from the public during the display period.
“Feedback received from the public will be addressed by the state government and submitted to DoE’s headquarters for a review. The state’s responses will be included in the final EIA report for the project,” he said.
The report will be on display at the National Library; the library of the DoE, natural resources and environment ministry; Komtar; Town Hall; Seberang Perai Municipal Council; Penang DoE; Penang Public Library Corporation; Penang Development Corporation (PDC); Ayer Itam police station and the Penang Botanic Gardens.
The report can also be viewed online at www.doe.gov.my; www.penang.gov.my; www.pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my and www.wirandamsdnbhd.com(EIA Consultant).
The public can submit their feedback before Aug 24, addressed to the DoE director-general in Putrajaya. - FMT
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