The construction of the Package Two bypass connecting Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway reached a 42% completion stage in January this year.

Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the RM851.04mil project would reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to less than 10 minutes.

He said most of the civil works of the Package Two 5.7km-alignment were progressing well.

Among these works are bore piling, the construction of piers and crossheads for the viaduct structure, the construction of slope stabilisation structures using the soil nailing method, construction of reinforced earth wall, cut and fill, as well as the widening of existing roads.

“The relocation works of the utility (Penang Water Supply Corporation pipes, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Telekom Malaysia cables) have been completed at Section One.

“Major construction works such as controlled rock blasting, reinforced earth wall, rock breaking, soil nailing, platform preparation, soil improvement, rock hacking and excavation are being conducted at Sections Two, Three and Four,” Zairil explained.

He also spoke about the relocation works of utility cables at Section Five where other construction works include site clearing, soil improvement and preparation of a road base for a permanent slip road.

“The utility piloting works were scheduled to begin at Section Six in February,” Zairil told Buletin Mutiara.

He said Penang must continue upgrading its facilities to uphold its economic and social competitiveness.

“Better infrastructure makes it easier for people to get around and helps local businesses succeed,” he added.

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 (at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway) which will involve a left in-left out junction and an elevated U-turn.

Other project scopes include upgrading and improving the drainage system, upgrading existing roads involved in the project area, and utility relocation work.

The project is tentatively scheduled for completion next year.

Source: TheStar.com.my