Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway – Air Itam bypass at 8 per cent progress [NSTTV]

Published by New Straits Times • 07/01/2022

GEORGE TOWN: Works on the first project under the state’s highly ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) — the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway – Air Itam bypass — have started and achieved eight per cent progress.

The 6km bypass, to be built at a cost of RM851 million, is expected to be completed in 2025.

Among the distinctive features of the underpass are that some parts will be elevated and it will have three short-distance twin land tunnels.

Visiting the project site this morning, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was happy to note that the project had achieved eight per cent progress, two per cent ahead of the targetted six per cent progress.

He said the project was awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Consortium Zenith-BUCG Sdn Bhd) in Sept 2013.

He added that following the environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval by the Department of Environment (DOE) in Nov 2017 for the three major roads project component, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd began the detailed design and implementation of the bypass — package two of the project.

The 6km bypass, to be built at a cost of RM851 million, is expected to be completed in 2025. – NSTP/MIKAIL ONG.

It was reported that Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd’s majority shareholding was taken over by ECK Development Sdn Bhd since Jan 2021.

“With this new management steering the project, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd has started to accelerate the implementation of relevant works, namely construction detailed design, preparation of land acquisition plans, procurement of authority approvals and commencement of construction.

“Nevertheless, there are still land acquisition issues, which the state is currently ironing out.

“If all goes as planned, the bypass, which will be carried out in phases, will be completed within 36 months in Jan 2025,” he said.

Elaborating, Chow said the state government has full confidence and optimism in the contractor that the project would proceed smoothly.

“The project is supposed to start earlier but due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), and with the construction industry not listed as essential services in the earlier stages, the project could not begin,” he added.

The bypass alignment is approximately 6km in length consisting of viaduct structures (65 per cent), a series of tunnels (20 per cent) and at grade sections (15 per cent).

Three interchanges are provided for traffic dispersion which links the bypass alignment to Lebuhraya Thean Teik at Air Itam, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah/Jalan Bukit Gambir and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

Upon completion, this toll-free bypass will benefit the public with reduction in travelling time from approximately 40 minutes to five minutes, creation of job opportunities both during the construction and post construction phases as well as the adoption of a more environmental-friendly design approach.

Visiting the project site this morning, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (centre) said he was happy to note that the project had achieved eight per cent progress, two per cent ahead of the targetted six per cent progress. – NSTP/MIKAIL ONG.

Read more about Ayer Itam – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass project here!