Firm claims mistakenly said Penang tunnel study on hold
The feasibility study for the controversial RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel is proceeding and expected to be done in six months’ time, said Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli when correcting his statement to the contrary.
The Consortium Zenith BUCG chairman today claimed he mistakenly told the media in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that the study was put on hold.
“It’s the puasa month, so I might have mistakenly said that but we are continuing with the study as we are already 83 per cent done,” he said today in a press conference together with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Lim earlier also clarified that the undersea tunnel and three paired roads project have not been cancelled or postponed.
“There are still 17 per cent left to completion of the study so the contractor will continue with it,” he said.
Yesterday, in a press conference announcing legal proceedings against Parti Cinta Malaysia’s Datuk Huan Cheng Guan over allegedly defamatory statements about Consortium Zenith, Zarul reportedly said the state government had asked them to stop the feasibility study for the undersea tunnel.
Lim today insisted the study was never halted, adding that there were also additional surveys needed.
“After the feasibility study, we still need to get the DEIA and if the DEIA is not approved, the project will not go on too and all costs will be born by the contractor,” Lim said.
One of the conditions for the award of the project to Consortium Zenith was that it must obtain the necessary approvals for the undersea tunnel and three paired roads, failing which it must bear the full costs of the feasibility studies.
He stressed that the undersea tunnel is a future plan to provide an extra link for when the first and second bridges become saturated.
“It will not be built now, construction for the tunnel might only start in 2022 and expected to complete by 2027,” Lim said.
As for the three paired roads, construction works are only expected to start next year and completed by 2022.
Zarul said their priority now is to start work on the three paired roads pending the completion of the feasibility study and obtaining approval for its detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) for the undersea tunnel.
Under the massive project, the 7.2km undersea tunnel will link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam in north Seberang Perai.
The three paired roads are from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam and Gurney Drive to the same expressway.
Source: TheMalayMailOnline.com
RELATED NEWS: Penang undersea tunnel project on hold
Haha…Our island supremacist Mr.Getha will have something to say again…haha…
“mistakenly”?? Will the developer then “mistakenly” use the wrong material to build the tunnel next time? Or have they mistakenly billed the state the wrong amount for the feasibility study, as it is suppose to be 20 mil, not 200 mil?
No matter bridge or no bridge, tunnel or no tunnel Penang Island will remain the best place to live. Only buy Penang Island properties. It will embrace you and provide all that your heart desires.
Need wait so long ? This bridge should be build first , as it will surely being utilise more than 2nd bridge
One thing to point out – why is that 5KM Bandar Baru Ayer Itam (Farlim) to Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu By-Pass should take so long of a delay ?
Even as to that 10.54 km paired existing northern coastal road from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang which already has existing partly constructed column-stretch roads built by some developers there before would have such difficulty to even gets started ??
Regardless of bridge or not, Penang Island will continue its march towards prosperity. mainland….the waiting game continues….
This tunnel should be build before the second bridge.
@JoJo
Agreed with you but it’s too late to comment since what’s done cannot be undone
Perhaps, state government had so much wanted to develop BK and Batu Mau area at that time but overlooked the density of population in these areas…
Gurney linking to Butterworth is really an exciting and close-to-perfect alternative to Penangites who always travel across..
For people from BM like me, I have more choices too. When I wanna visit my relatives in Paya Terubong and Bayan Baru, I can choose to take first bridge ; When I feel like going to shop / relax at Gurney / Batu Ferringhi , I can choose to go by undersea tunnel …Vice Versa, it applies to islanders..
Too bad..should have overestimated the effect on 2nd bridge…
@edisongan
2nd bridge by federal project wo. this third link is from state proposal. It’s not even a federal project. Even 1st bridge also federal project. So you can’t say state focus on Batu Kawan/Batu Maung. Cause of the 2nd link it bring in development in that area.
@Dan
I see..thank you for the correction…does that mean state govt has better vision?Haha..Anyway, still grateful to have 2nd bridge but still abit disappointing on its usage and now we can eye on undersea tunnel…
@edisongan
can’t really say state have vision and federal doesn’t. It’s always road connection that need to be built before house/shops can be build. Without proper connections, houses/shop can’t go to anywhere. Thanks to federal build 2nd link and so now we can see development in Batu Kawan/Batu Maung. So I should say with proper connection between mainland and island, it will of course bring in development in that area. If federal didn’t build then we won’t see so much development in that area today.
@Dan
Well said…so you also support third link then…since Penang population is not going to decline…we will reach 2 million population soon and each 5 member family has 3 cars…we should do it with vision to alleviate rather than last min build a toilet when stomachache ..haha
BK area really surprises many people…I went there around 10 years ago once to watch football,Penang VS Johor..After that only bypass …now it is shining new town with many new development…
We are helpless in terms of what to build. What we can do is preserve our beautiful Island and enjoy it. As for mainland……sigh…what can I say what I have nothing good to say…..
Hahah…he impliedly said because of puasa month his brains were not working properly
Yeah, its ridiculous when a 5km or 10km road will have to take so long of a planning and stil,l after 4 years nothing has been seen !???
@randit
Bro, this is not a road… It’s a tunnel crossing at sea level. They need do a lot of studies on the impact.
Tunnel or bridge needs political will. Regardless, just be steadfast in protecting and enjoying our wonderful Island in the Sun…and also…avoid mainland properties
flip flop….flip flop….flip flop
@Dan I think what randit meant must the three road of farlim/Tanjung Bungah/Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu to Persiaran Gurney Highway which were signed together with the tunnel as a turnkey project.
@Getha
I guess you re island property agent right ?
Now market so bad no wonder you got so much time here lol
Find another job bro , now all property agent quit their job already la
Buying Penang island properties gives you easy access to all the wonderful things on the Island and you do not have to jostle for the bridge or ferry. Of course, buying Penang island properties is the best idea ever.
@Dan
Sorry, I was actually refer that to the three highways Zenith signed with the Penang gov in 2012.
It is very unreasonable to delay for such a long time as 5km or 10km road is very short only!
The three highways are very important as they connect north to south directly and bypasses the city centre. These three highways will boost transportation on Penang island making it the best place to stay in the region. Thats why its best to buy Penang Island properties
In the 1st place, state government should not tie the 3 highways together with the 3rd link as one tender as the 3rd link need federal government approval and also many impact studies.
Now the 3rd link project still undecided to be tunnel or bridge,moreover there are many political interference involved and environment issues.
And if initially the highways were separated out and having its own tender, believe its already in progress and could see completion soon as compare to situation now, still on survey, discussion, feed back, press conference and so on.
@Getha
The three highways is facing a lot of harassments too from the NGOs in Penang.
A number of Penang NGOs have “Cuba Syndrome” I guess.
@Getha
At the rate Penang is developing(?),its just much too slow and restricted,the coming Forest City of Johor will beat you hands down soon.
Forest City has started reclamations since March this year and the first of the four islands is scheduled to complete in the beginning of 2018. It’s duty free and also with so many incentives !
@randit
I think the problem could be lack of financing since the Chinese companies have pulled out from the JV. They expected the Chinamen to finance the building. Now they have to korek from own pocket.
@Tian
What you said about Forest City is very subjective. They could be reclaiming big time, building many high rises etc, BUT, will that benefit the vast majority of the people there, or only enriching the few big land owners and “well-connected” people?
You must always remember, an easy way to prop up real estate value is to attract foreign investors. But, if you do that without proper strategies, such as creating high income jobs, designating areas for foreign property investments only, isolating excessive real estate inflation in certain areas for the locals etc, then, you will come to a situation whereby homes will not be affordable to vast majority, resulting in a real estate crisis instead.
In short, don’t get too excited, stay calm, think long term, think sustainability.
@Arnold
Looks like the Pg gov is lacking of funds to continue the project since Zenith claimed that they are being owed 100 millions of the feasibility study fees!
But instead,the gov is constructing a highway from Bt Kukus to Bt Gambir which is almost the same route as Farlim to Jln Lim Chong Ewe ! Overlapping,repeating jobs ?
@randit
The Govt never had the funds to build them in the first place. the agreement was for zenith to build it (with the help of the chinamen) and in exchange zenith would be given payment in kind through the reclaimed lands. As the chinamen have pulled out the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of zenith to finance the building of the 3 highways. I think they’re scratching their heads now
Ok so who’s the nutter that thinks that building more roads leads to less congestion??
Money would be better spent, on public transport (MRT system/buses) and restricting non Penang cars to parking on mainland at large park and rides.
Just my two sen worth