GEORGE TOWN: Construction works for the Penang Hill Cable Car project are set to begin on Oct 15 and to facilitate this part of Jalan Kebun Bunga and Jalan Viaduct will be closed in stages.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said that phase one involved closing part of the road starting from the intersection of Jalan Kebun Bunga and Lorong Air Terjun before the Park Avenue Apartment.
He said the project will be completed on June 30, 2026.
"The second phase closure involves part of Jalan Viaduct near Bypath J that connects to Jalan Jip. The road is expected to be closed from November, but further details will be provided later," he said at a press conference on the Penang Hill Cable Car Project: Traffic Management and Construction Update at Komtar on Friday (Sept 20).
Present at the press conference was Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
According to Cheok, the traffic management plan has been finalised and approved to address public concerns regarding traffic control around the Penang Botanic Gardens, the movement of heavy construction vehicles along Jalan Kebun Bunga and Jalan Jip and the availability of parking spaces during the construction period.
He said the Penang Botanic Gardens will remain open to the public throughout the construction period, adding that visitors must not park their vehicles by the roadside.
Cheok said visitors could park their vehicles at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple) parking lot, about 750 metres from the Botanic Gardens, Taman Bandaraya (Youth Park) or Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, which is 900 metres and one kilometre away respectively.
"However, parking spaces are limited, so visitors are encouraged to use alternative transportation to help reduce traffic congestion such as carpooling, public transport like Rapid Penang or e-hailing services. We also encouraged visitors to walk to the Botanic Gardens while enjoying the beautiful surroundings," he said.
"Besides providing another iconic and alternative mode of transportation to Penang Hill, this cable car project aims to address long-term parking space issues and traffic congestion along Jalan Kebun Bunga as well as facilitating visitors to visit the Penang Botanic Gardens. We ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation during this temporary inconvenience," he said.
PHC will work closely with the authorities and the concession company, Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, to minimise difficulties and ensure a safe and efficient construction phase, he added.
The 2.7 km cable car line with three stations, Taman Station, Geling Belokan Station and Bukit Station, is valued at RM245mil. - Bernama
