Penang reveals 10km tunnel plan for mega highway project

KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): Penang has revealed plans for a 10km tunnel that will go through hills as part of Penang’s Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway mega project.

According to a report by The Malay Mail today, the plan, which was announced by chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured), PIL 1 will allow direct access from Gurney Drive to Gottlieb Road, Youth Park, Sungai Keluang and the Second Penang Bridge.

Chow said that “about 70% of the 19.5km PIL 1 will be tunnels going through hills to avoid the cutting of trees and forcing the eviction of residents along the route”.

“PIL 1 will allow motorists to travel from north to south in 15 minutes when currently it takes more than 30 minutes travelling time,” he added.

Chow said PIL1 will become a strategic bypass for traffic dispersal during peak hours.

The highway will be also be toll-free.

“Traffic conditions are expected to worsen if intervention measures are not implemented,” The Malay Mail reported Chow saying.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Second Schedule Report on the PIL 1 project is currently on public display for 30 days until Aug 10.

The EIA can be perused at eight locations in Penang, at the DOE in Putrajaya and the national library in Kuala Lumpur.

"Strict mitigation measures, as prescribed in the EIA report, will be adhered to in implementing the project to ensure minimal disruption to the environment and interference to public daily activities," Malaysiakini reported Chow saying.

"The Penang government and the EIA consultant will respond to the DOE on all the written comments received from the public during the display period," he added.

The public can send in their feedback to the DOE before Aug 24.

PIL 1 will be implemented under the first phase of the mega RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.