Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass

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Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass
Construction of Ayer Itam Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass, 2024(2).jpg
Section 2 hill clearing, flanked by Green Lane and Farlim neighbourhoods, as of 2024
Route information
Length6 km (3.7 mi)
Major junctions
West endFarlim, Paya Terubong
Major intersections FT 221 Lebuhraya Thean Teik
Jalan Yeap Chor Ee
Jalan Bukit Gambir
FT 6 Gelugor Highway
East endTun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway
Location
CountryMalaysia
Primary
destinations		Paya Terubong
Gelugor
Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway
Highway system

The Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass is a dual carriageway under construction in the city of George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. The 6 km (3.7 mi) road will connect the inland neighbourhood of Farlim to the coastal Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. Slated for completion by 2025, the bypass is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the state through the implemention of three new roadways.

History[edit]

Introduced by the Penang state government in 2014, the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) envisaged three new motorways intended to disperse traffic from the existing roads throughout George Town, in addition to a cross-strait tunnel which would connect the city with Seberang Perai.[1][2] The three proposed roads are:

Construction of viaduct structures at Farlim in 2024
Viaduct structures under construction near The Light Waterfront in 2024

Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) had been appointed the developer of the three roads in 2013 through an open tender process. Formed in 2012, CZC comprised Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) – which had previously built venues for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing – and local firm Zenith Construction.[2] In exchange for the three roads and the tunnel, CZC was granted exclusive development rights for 44.5 ha (110 acres) of land at Gurney Bay, negating the need for the imposition of toll charges to finance the construction.[3]

At the time, the Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass was projected to halve the commute time between Farlim and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway by up to 50%, with a speed limit of 70 km/h (43 mph).[4][5] Of the three planned roadways, the bypass was given the highest priority due to the traffic congestion at Farlim and the surrounding residential areas.[4] As the route traverses the hilly terrain between Farlim and Green Lane, three twin tunnels – measuring a total of nearly 2 km (1.2 mi) – would be bored into the hills to minimise environmental impacts.[5] The elevated sections have a total length of approximately 4.2 km (2.6 mi), while the at-grade sections add up to 1.8 km (1.1 mi).[1] The bypass is estimated to cost RM851 million.[3]

The three roadways received approval from federal government environmental regulators in 2017.[6] In 2019, the state government signed an agreement with CZC to implement Package 2, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony in November that year.[3][6][7] Despite this, construction only began in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2025.[7][8] Construction of the bypass has reached 50% as of February 2024.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Penang Infra | 3 Major Roads and 3rd Link". Penang Infrastructure Corporation. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  2. ^ a b Azhar, Kamarul (27 Aug 2020). "Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout". The Edge. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Sekaran, R. (11 Oct 2019). "Penang govt inks RM851mil Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway paired road deal". The Star. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  4. ^ a b Arnold Loh (14 Aug 2015). "New Air Itam-Gelugor bypass to cut driving time by half". The Star. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  5. ^ a b Nambiar, Predeep (7 Jan 2022). "Air Itam hill to be spared in bypass road project". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  6. ^ a b Christopher Tan (11 Oct 2019). "Smoother ride ahead". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  7. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (19 Jan 2021). "Heavy equipment arrives to kickstart Air Itam highway under the undersea tunnel project". Malay Mail. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
  8. ^ a b Trisha, N. (30 Mar 2024). "Bypass half way to 2025 completion". The Star. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
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