Zairil looking at the map outlining the traffic management plan, with (from left) Mohd Zakuan, Mohamed Rizal, Cheok and Lee. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
PART of Jalan Kebun Bunga leading to Penang Botanic Gardens in George Town will be closed from Oct 15 to facilitate works for the Penang Hill Cable Car project.
Only authorised vehicles and residents will be permitted beyond the intersection at Lorong Air Terjun (before Park Avenue apartment), where a temporary roundabout will be built (see graphic).
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the closure under Phase One was scheduled until June 30, 2026.
“It is to facilitate foundation works, construction activities and movement of heavy vehicles to, from and around the site, as well as to ensure public safety.
“We apologise for the temporary inconvenience but once everything is complete, there will be better facilities for everyone,” he said at a press conference to announce the project’s traffic management plan.
The Penang Botanic Gardens Hawker Centre will be demolished to make way for a multi-storey carpark and commercial plaza.
This proposed structure will have a new hawker centre as well as about 700 parking bays to address long-term parking issues and congestion in the area.
The Penang Botanic Gardens Hawker Centre will be demolished to make way for cable car infrastructure.
Hawkers at the existing site are currently being relocated to a makeshift open space between the Penang Botanic Gardens Department office and Moongate trail entrance.
“We are in the process of putting up hoardings. Physical works should commence by mid-October.
“Construction will take about two years and we will do our best to ensure it is completed on schedule,” said Cheok.
Besides Jalan Kebun Bunga, a section of Viaduct Road near Bypath J, which connects to Penang Hill’s Jeep track, will also be inaccessible during Phase Two of the project.
The closure is to facilitate construction of the cable car system’s proposed turn station and pylon sites. The exact closure period will be announced later.
Cheok said residents who normally used Viaduct Road could utilise alternative routes such as Jalan Tuanku Yahya Petra (Summit Road) or Upper Tunnel Road during this period.
He also assured the public that construction vehicles would only access the affected roads during non-peak hours on weekdays, from 10am to noon and 2.30pm to 4pm. They will not operate on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
The Penang Botanic Gardens will remain open to the public for recreational activities, but visitors will have to park at three designated areas and proceed on foot.
Cheok said the committee of Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, also known as Penang Waterfall Hill Temple (740m away), and Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple (1km away) had both allowed their carparks to be used by the gardens’ visitors, but reminded everyone to remain respectful while within temple grounds.
Alternatively, visitors can park at Penang City Park (900m away), carpool or utilise ehailing and public transport.
The nearest bus-stop is at Adventist Hospital on Jalan Burmah, which is 2km away and serviced by Rapid Penang routes 101, 102, 103, 104 and 304.
For schedules, download the myRapid Pulse app.
Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari cautioned against indiscriminate parking of vehicles as the local council would still carry out traffic enforcement.
“Most people visit the gardens to walk anyway, so the revised traffic management plan just adds a few more steps on their routes,” he said.
Present at the press conference were Kebun Bunga assemblyman Lee Boon Heng, Penang Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Mohd Zakuan Zakaria and the concessionaire Hartasuma Sdn Bhd’s project director Mohamed Rizal Mohamed Sapari.
