GEORGE TOWN, Jan 13 -- A 3.82 km stretch of the Jalan Paya Terubong (Bukit Kukus) paired road here, Malaysia’s highest elevated highway, was opened to traffic today after six years of construction.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this phase one of the Bukit Kukus paired road project costing RM378.2 million was financed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
"The project is divided into three phases and work on the first phase began on Jan 14, 2016. It (first phase) is now completed and the paired road was opened to road users today.
"A special feature of this project is that part of the route is at a height of 61.5 metres, making it the highest elevated highway in Malaysia," he told reporters after the opening of the paired road.
Also present were state Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Chow said the first phase included widening and upgrading the Thean Teik Highway-Jalan Bukit Kukus interchange, and building a new road and flyover to link the existing Jalan Paya Terubong to Lebuh Bukit Jambul.
It also involved the construction of an interchange between the Jalan Paya Terubong paired road and Jalan Tun Sardon and a bicycle lane along the paired road, he added.
He said the 5.5 km highway would cost a total of RM545.6 million and when fully completed would link Paya Terubong and Relau.
"Two other developers, PLB Land Sdn Bhd and Geo Valley Sdn Bhd, are responsible for the remaining two phases stretching 1.674 km, expected to be completed at a cost of RM167.40 million in 2025," he added.
He said the paired road would cater to almost 60,000 users daily and could reduce traffic congestion by up to 30 per cent.
Chow said the highway was built in accordance with the highest standards of road safety in Malaysia.
“We have conducted stringent checks to ensure the safety of slopes and MBPP has also appointed geologists and independent consultants for this purpose,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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