The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will reopen the traffic barrier at Lorong Sungai Tiram 7 this August in response to resident complaints over severe congestion in the area.

MBPP Councillor Dr. Mohd. Suhairi Arumugam Abdullah announced that over 80% of residents in the area requested the barrier to be removed, citing long delays caused by limited road access.

“Currently, residents can only exit via Lorong Sungai Tiram 6 and Jalan Sungai Tiram 1, which leads to Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,” he said. “Parents waiting to pick up their children near SMK Heng Ee Bayan Baru have also contributed to bottlenecks, with some residents waiting up to 1 hour and 30 minutes just to leave the neighborhood.”

After multiple discussions within MBPP’s Infrastructure and Traffic Technical Committee, the council agreed to open the barrier to ease traffic and improve connectivity.

Dr. Suhairi added that the move will reduce traffic conflict, enhance road capacity, and provide an alternative route for residents.

However, MBPP Deputy Director of Engineering Ir. Ts. Zainuddin Mohamad clarified that heavy vehicles, especially construction trucks, will remain prohibited from using this route. Special lanes will be designated to prevent such vehicles from entering the residential area.

The barrier, built over a decade ago, was initially installed under a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) to manage local congestion. Once removed, the reopened road will provide direct access to the roundabout near the Penang International Airport.