Penang CM: Final PIL1 design will meet PWD guidelines

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has refuted claims by an activist that the number of berms for cut slopes for the Pan-Island Link 1 (PIL1) highway violated the Public Works Department’s (PWD) guidelines.

"We admit there was an oversight as the submission for the Environment Department approval for the PIL1 contained only preliminary design drawings, which are typically generated by software," he clarified at a press conference in Komtar today.

"But we thank the activist Khoo Salma Nasution for raising the issue, as it was in the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) report, which she has gone through.

"However, engineering-wise, having 29 berms on the slope is impossible. It is common to see three to six berms, and even that requires engineering solution and treatment."

Salma pointed out yesterday that for maintenance and safety reasons, the PWD Design Rules states that the design for cut slopes should not exceed six berms – narrow shelves, paths, or ledges typically found at the top or bottom of a slope.

Salma added that the PIL1 EIA report (Volume 2) shows many instances of the guidelines being violated, with up to 20 berms for cut slopes.

As Chow noted, however, the PWD guidelines is a reference that only provides the basic outline of the design.

He added that after the DEIA is approved, the detailed design will be worked on, and will use retaining structures to reduce the number of slopes, as per the guidelines.

"As committed by the state, notwithstanding the approval obtained from DOE with 56 conditions, the detailed design will go through a number of approval processes, including that of PWD, before the design is adopted for execution," he said.

"At every step of the way, the state is obliged to respond to every query and concern raised by interested parties and stakeholders to ensure we stay connected on the same wavelength."

Salma (above), the ex-president of the Penang Heritage Trust and former Penang Island City councillor, has been vocal about the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), undersea tunnel and road projects.

The EIA report for the PIL1 highway was given conditional approval by the Department of Environment on April 10.

Spanning 19km, the highway is a component of the PTMP. It will be funded by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme, which includes the creation and development of three artificial islands.

Chow has described the approval as a "major milestone," but activists from the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association, Penang Forum, Consumers Association Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are upset with the highway due to possible damage it would cause the environment.

 - Mkini