Penang Hill and its surrounding localities will be upgraded at a cost of RM8.6mil as part of efforts to ease the traffic congestion there during the peak season and to provide a sheltered walkway for visitors.

Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said it would be done in three phases.

The first phase comprises three projects while the other two phases are still in planning stages.

“The three projects are the building of shelters for the bottom and hilltop funicular railway stations and a walkway linking the bottom station to a neighbouring Chinese temple car park, which is under-utilised at the moment,” said Lee at a press conference on Tuesday.

The bottom station’s centre court will have shelters installed and it will also be done for the hilltop area.

A sheltered walkway will be built on the hilltop, leading to the promenade near the Bellevue Hotel.

“This will allow the visitors to take in the scenic view in a comfortable atmosphere. Currently, there are no proper shelters and it inconveniences the visitors, when it rains or when it is hot. The shelters will provide cover while at the same time provide an unobstructed view of the hill with proper ventilation,” said Lee.

“We will also build a sheltered walkway (less than 100m) linking the bottom station to a nearby temple car park. This means we will have more car park sites and two entrance points to the bottom station.”

This would ease the current traffic and crowd congestion, especially during the peak period, Lee said.

Penang Development Corporation’s consultancy head Khairil Faizi Abdul Majid said that the projects were expected to be completed within six months.