The RM851mil Package Two Bypass (5.7km) linking Ayer Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway is expected to complete in 2025. (April 20, 2024 )— CHAN BOON KAI/The Star.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has been hoping for more rain to fill up its fast-depleting reservoirs. But several bouts of heavy rain have instead caused flash floods and other challenges.
State infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said work on the RM851mil Air Itam-Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass (Package Two) will be delayed due to rain this month.
“There is also some impact on the works at the hillside as well as live traffic areas. Higher safety precautionary measures are required when it rains. We hope the contractors can catch up with the missed deadlines,” he said.
Zairil added that temporary slope and ground protection as well as ground settlement and movement monitoring have been carried out continuously since the start of construction of the 6km bypass.
Last Sunday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said Penang would be seeing daily thunderstorms until this Saturday.
On Saturday, a massive angsana tree along Jalan Macalister toppled across the road after a downpour, hitting another angsana on the opposite side, which then fell into the compound of a hotel parking lot and damaged four cars that were parked there.
The bypass is projected to reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to less than 10 minutes.
Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd is the design-and-build contractor, while Penang Infrastructure Corporation is the implementing agency for the project.
Package Two comprises three interchanges: Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway).
The highway, expected to be toll-free, could ease traffic congestion in the most densely populated areas on the island – Bandar Baru Air Itam and Paya Terubong.
Residents working in the Bayan Lepas area will be able to reach the Bayan Lepas Industrial Area and head towards the Penang Bridge more quickly.
The bypass is also expected to help ease traffic congestion in Batu Lanchang and Jelutong.
Zairil also said mitigation measures for the construction process include installing geotextile covering on slopes, temporary drains and sediment ponds, as well as continuously implementing electromagnetic pulse mitigation, as safety precaution measures are also being carried out at the site.
“For permanent slope protection, there will be soil nailing and anchoring, granite slope surface (contouring), and installing drainage systems and detention ponds to bring down the risk as much as possible,” he said.
Resident Heng Ooi Bee Lee, 43, who lives in an apartment near the construction site, said while there is noise and dust pollution from the construction, she feels reassured by the tight controls, adding that she remains calm even when it rains.
“The work is carried out right behind our development. But it seems to be safe as they have built a wall.
“So when it rains, we don’t see any mud tipping over or sand falling,” said the nurse, who lives on the 32nd floor of her block.
While there have been sporadic downpours, the northern region is expected to stay warm as it is still affected by El Nino.
