Causeway Congestion: Feasibility study to look at third bridge proposal - Muhyiddin

JOHOR BAHRU, 1 Dis  -- The authority has agreed to undertake a feasibility study on the proposed third bridge as a long-term solution in overcoming traffic congestion at the Johor Causeway.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the study, estimated to cost RM5 million, would be conducted sometime next year after the funding was obtained.   

“The study will also look at the capacity of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, which are currently handling a very high volume of visitors, whether both facilities should be upgraded.

“I am told that almost 70 per cent of the visitors to and from Malaysia use the Causeway,” he told reporters at BSI here today. 

He said this after chairing the first meeting of the committee to solve the congestion issue of the Causeway which was attended by various relevant government departments and agencies. 

Elaborating further, he said the study was expected to take nine months to complete.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the committee also agreed to proceed with the proposal to build a covered pedestrian pathway at the Johor Causeway as a short-term solution to overcome the congestion. 

“It will cost RM30 million, but we have to first discuss the proposal with the federal and state governments and PLUS Malaysia Berhad before we can take the next step,” he said.

Among those present at the meeting were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar and representatives of the state government and heads of government agencies.

-- BERNAMA