Construction of Air Itam-LCE Expressway bypass to be delayed

Construction of the elevated highway from Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which was slated to start on Sept 1, may be delayed.

According to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the state government and developer Zenith Consortium Sdn Bhd have yet to sign a work package or construction agreement.

"We recently signed the master agreement but the construction agreement has not been signed yet," he told Malaysiakini today.

"We are working on the final details. The acceptance of the technical design by the independent engineers, this has not been completed yet.

"If we are unable to start on Sept 1. The deadline stated in the environmental impact assessment report is Oct 31, we have to start by then."

The delay may disappoint some 300,000 Penangites who live in the most congested part of the island, namely Air Itam, Farlim and Paya Terubong.

Chow was asked whether the construction of the highway would begin on Sept 1, as the Penang governor had previously announced in the state assembly.

'Still on track'

Nevertheless, Chow pointed out that Zenith Consortium has obtained the environmental plan approval for the project, which means that "they have complied with all the necessary requirements."

"It is just that we are still vetting through the design, and once we are satisfied, we will sign the construction agreement."

The chief minister assured that the project is still on track, but that state engineers must be satisfied with all technical aspects before construction begins.

"So we are going through the final, final phase before work can commence," he said.

Asked if there would be any financial impact on the state if the project were delayed, Chow replied in the negative.

"If they (developer) do not start construction, the state will not incur any expenses, if there is any financial impact, it would be on the developer's part."

Spanning 5.7km, the highway from Air Itam to the LCE Expressway is 70 percent elevated.

To be completed in three years, the two-lane dual carriageway is aimed at bringing down the drive from the LCE Expressway to the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone to five minutes under normal traffic conditions.

The elevated highway will have three interchanges along the way, namely at Jalan Thean Teik, Jalan Yeap Chor Ee and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.

The project, along with the 12km North Coastal Paired Road between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang and the 4.2km bypass connecting Gurney Drive to LCE Expressway, is part of the 6.5km undersea tunnel linking the island to Butterworth. - Mkini