I fully agree and support of idea to scrap the viewing platforms to further reduce the cost of the 2nd Penang Bridge. I am so hopeful that the bridge will be completed within yr 2011, even with the new 9 month delay announced by UEM.

We Malaysia always like to show how we "boleh" by spending unnecessary money, admit it, we are not so "boleh" in fact.

Just give us the needed 2nd bridge on time and per plan. :ohno::ohno:

Construction of Second Penang Bridge delayed


KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the construction of the Second Penang Bridge will be delayed following problems getting the allocated land, the best design and increasing building costs.

"Several matters have delayed its construction. Firstly, in getting the land that had been allocated for building the bridge.

"Secondly, there is a need to ensure that the given design is the most suitable and also the issue of cost where there may be changes due to increased prices," he said after officiating at the Asia-Europe Culture Ministers Meeting yesterday.

Abdullah said this when asked why the building of the bridge was being reviewed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

The building of the 24-km bridge linking Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai south and Batu Maung on the island has been receiving criticisms from various parties for its delay.

The original agreement between UEM Group Bhd and its consortium partner China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been extended for nine months to provide more negotiation time to reach an agreement.

Earlier, UEM had given the guarantee that the building of the Second Penang Bridge will be smooth and completed as scheduled in 2011.

In Bukit Mertajam, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed shock that the Second Penang Bridge project would be delayed and disputed the federal government's claim that land acquisition was a contributing factor.

He said the state Economic Planning Unit and relevant departments had been directed to expedite the land acquisition process.

He added there was no reason for the federal government to cite land acquisition as the cause of the delay.

"I am shocked over the prime minister's announcement that work on the second Penang Bridge project will be delayed.

"I have just been informed about the matter and I do not understand why the project is being delayed," he said, adding the state government would seek an explanation soon.

Second bridge delay due to costs and design issues


KUALA LUMPUR: The nine-month delay in the Penang second bridge project is due to problems in land acquisition, design and rising cost, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“First we need to acquire the land, then there are matters related to the design. We want to ensure that it is the best design.

“Also the cost needs to be looked at. There may be some changes in the cost because the price of materials have gone up,” the Prime Minister told reporters at the Asia Europe Asem Culture Ministers Meeting.

Abdullah said the delays should not take too long.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng recently said the state government planned to meet with the Economic Planning Unit to discuss the delays.

He warned that the Penang Government would be forced to think of alternatives if the unit adopted a “not-to-discuss” attitude or did not give the state government due attention, .

It was reported that the project was originally estimated at RM3.6bil but the cost had gone up to RM4.3 billion.

To a question, Abdullah confirmed the Government was reviewing a number of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“There are many projects we are in the process of reviewing,” he said.

He did not say which projects were being reviewed.

I was so sick of FD GARMENT Excuses...SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK SO SICK

wait for another 25,000 years....:lol:

Remember those "happy days" before the election when we were promised the the sun, the moon and the stars? a couple of billion here, a couple of billion there...

One thing fishy about this project announcent: PM said that the cost has been revised upwards from RM3.6bil to 4.3bil. Now this, I presume, would have covered the expenses of higher material costs. So, why would he also claim that the delay is due to cost and design issues? I don't see the link between having higher costs and project delay.... what a total hogwash!

Remember those "happy days" before the election when we were promised the the sun, the moon and the stars? a couple of billion here, a couple of billion there...

One thing fishy about this project announcent: PM said that the cost has been revised upwards from RM3.6bil to 4.3bil. Now this, I presume, would have covered the expenses of higher material costs. So, why would he also claim that the delay is due to cost and design issues? I don't see the link between having higher costs and project delay.... what a total hogwash!

As I said before. It's not all the material costs or whatever that's delaying the project..it's BS..its the contracts..he's gonna give em to different people now to get the $$ to the selected few.:ohno: The same reason most project were delayed under the hadhari era....all contracts/tenders revised and such process takes alot of time.

As I said before. It's not all the material costs or whatever that's delaying the project..it's BS..its the contracts..he's gonna give em to different people now to get the $$ to the selected few.:ohno: The same reason most project were delayed under the hadhari era....all contracts/tenders revised and such process takes alot of time.

Totally agree!

Fast track with too many speed bumps
Or why the 2nd Penang Bridge is doomed to fall way behind schedule

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — To understand why infrastructure projects during Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s first term in office always seemed stuck at the drawing board stage, look no further than the fiasco surrounding the Second Penang Bridge.

It will show a prime minister unable to make hard decisions fast, the bias of Ministry of Finance officials in awarding big projects to inefficient government-linked companies instead of IJM or Gamuda. It will show the disconnect between launching a high-impact project and actually getting it off the ground. It will show the culture of non-performance in the public sector.

Food technology parks, aquaculture centres and several other high-impact projects approved by the Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and other government agencies are all at planning stage or barely breathing.

There has been glacial progress on big projects under the Northern Corridor Economic Region, with the implementation authority still sorting out administrative issues. So embarrassing is the government’s track record that there should be a rethink on whether projects should be placed into the high impact or fast track category.

The Second Penang Bridge is a fast track project. Or at least it was on paper. When the PM said on Tuesday that there would be a delay in the completion of the project because of problems due to problems in land acquisition, design and rising cost, he was stating what government officials and the Chinese government had known for months.

The project has been mired in red tape since July 13, 2007 – when several landmark agreements were signed to pave the way for the construction of the bridge. On that day, Malaysia and China inked a US$800 million loan agreement, the largest given by China for a single project in a foreign country.

MOF officials including Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop were elated, noting that the terms of agreement, which included an interest rate of 3 per cent per annum over 20 years was very favourable.

“With this project, we are literally building a bridge with China,” he said during a press conference. The loan agreement was signed by the Malaysian government, China's Exim Bank and Bank Pembangunan (Malaysia) Bhd.

A contract was also signed between UEM Group Bhd, JV Consortium of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and UEM Construction.

Nor Mohamed was quoted in The Star as saying that the second Penang Bridge would be a signature project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and a major catalyst for economic growth and investment in the Northern Corridor.

“The Government is committed to see this project implemented on a fast track and have the bridge open for use in 2011,” he added. But by then, mistakes had already been made.

It was China’s Road and Bridge Group that mooted the idea of a second crossing to Penang when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was in power. At that point, there was no pressing need for another link and the idea was put on the backburner. The Chinese company approached Dr Mahathir again when he had retired and he suggested that they make a case to the new government.

The idea was floated to the Abdullah administration and he agreed on the need for a second bridge because of the traffic congestion. By then, the Road and Bridge Group had merged to become China Harbour Engineering Company.

From the onset, the government believed that working with China on this project would cement Kuala Lumpur’s special relationship with Beijing and pave the way for Malaysian companies to be given preferential trade treatment.

On their part, China was keen to show that it valued Malaysia’s loyalty as a friend and saw the bridge project as an ideal opportunity to show case the softer side of its economic prowess to Southeast Asian nations.

Abdullah and China’s Wen Jiabao discussed the bridge on the sidelines of an Asean meeting in Naning and the Chinese leader gave an assurance that a special loan facility would be arranged for the Penang project.

The Malaysian government felt that UEM being the concession holder for the first bridge should also get the toll concession for the second crossing. Instead of opening up project to the private sector, MOF officials also felt that UEM being a GLC should be given a stake in the construction of the 24-km link.

One party was a world famous company which had built more than 30 bridges and another was the concession holder of the first bridge. The only thing they had in common was distrust for each other.

This was a marriage made in hell, say officials familiar with negotiations. UEM felt that it could have built the bridge by itself despite having little experience in construction over the sea while CHEC felt it had been saddled with a partner with limited expertise and a lack of urgency about the project. There was a disagreement over who should design the bridge with CHEC again saying that it had the experience and UEM standing firm.

There was a deadlock of a few months before Abdullah intervened. This design issue has only just been sorted out. It was a pattern that would play itself out over and over again. By late 2007, frustration was beginning to show on CHEC’s side over the slow pace of movement on the project.

The Malaysian Insider understands that a committee had been set up by the Chinese government to monitor the construction of the bridge. It was applying pressure on CHEC and making it clear that the company would bring shame to China if the bridge was not completed by 2011.

Senior executives of CHEC knew that this was a veiled threat from Beijing. Perform of else…

But there were continuing disagreements between UEM and CHEC over various issues, including apportioning of work and costing. Finally, it was decided that CHEC would build the crossing over the sea while the GLC would handle the land portion. More intractable was the discussion over costing. It was clear early on that prices of steel and other materials rising, the initial cost of RM3.6 billion could not be met.

By late last year, Abdullah roped in former Public Works Department director-general Tan Sri Zaini Omar to crack the whip and speed up the project. He even enhanced Zaini's powers as head of a task force after realising that civil servants and officials from UEM were not really listening to his directives in the early days after his appointment.

Zaini has had a tough time bringing any closure to the haggling over the cost of the bridge. On one hand, CHEC says that it can build the 17-km sea portion for RM2.3 billion while UEM says that its needs RM1 billion for the 7-km land portion and RM1.5 billion box girdle structures. The GLC has also asked for a concession fee of RM280 million.

With input from Zaini, the government says that it is unwilling to pay more than RM4.3 billion. He is now squeezing both parties to bring down cost. The Malaysian Insider has learnt that UEM has reduced the land portion but industry sources still argue that the government would be setting a precedent by paying them a RM280 million concession fee. MOF officials are leaning towards allowing the GLC to claim that fee.

Both parties have been asked to prepare final submissions on cost for the Finance Minister. Unless he is willing to make a tough decision, this fast track project is destined for a life in the slow lane.

from themalaysianinsider.com

such a long explaination with a short suggestion...undur dollah undur!

guess what are mega projects that are done/completed after dollah left his office by a Vote of No Confidence passed in parliament?...NONE!...he should realise that he fails as a PM.

such a long explaination with a short suggestion...undur dollah undur!

guess what are mega projects that are done/completed after dollah left his office by a Vote of No Confidence passed in parliament?...NONE!...he should realise that he fails as a PM.

:applause:

Sorry to Batu Maung properties investor, you guys have to wait for another decade for appreciation!!

It's nothing but the game of politics. Whatever it is, reflects poorly on pak lah. Weren't all the infra projects launched barely a few mths ago with much fanfare? Surely the planners could have foreseen 'price hikes' etc etc etc. If not, then it's just bad planning.

The escalation cost has nothing to do with rise in buiding meterials. The price has been revised once for that. It has everthing to do with their final payout before they go into permanent political oblivion.

Batu Maung's Properties are appreciating regardless of the bridge status, due to its location which is next to Bayan Lepas FIZ. But I am really not sure about Batu Kawan's properties.

Batu Maung's Properties are appreciating regardless of the bridge status, due to its location which is next to Bayan Lepas FIZ. But I am really not sure about Batu Kawan's properties.

I agree. The scarcity of land on Penang island will eventually push Batu Maung's properties up(The area is still undeveloped now). However, Batu Kawan might not look that attractive because you can still find plenty of properties at reasonable prices in areas close to the existing bridge(Juru, Bukit Tambun etc). Furthermore, the ability of Equine to deliver in their Batu Kawan mega residential project will be thrown into doubt espacially after the recent general elections. Their share price has fallen to 80 cents from a high of RM5 before the elections.

'No intention of cancelling projects'
By IZATUN SHARI


PETALING JAYA: The Federal Government is sincere about working with the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang state government and has no intention of cancelling projects announced under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the purpose of the three-hour Penang Federal Action Council meeting which he chaired on Saturday was to call for more cooperation with the state government.

It was also to accelerate projects and make them more efficient and effective, and to overcome problems such as land acquisition and cost control.

"The Prime Minister has said that he is the Prime Minister for all. It applies to Penangites as well. The election is behind us now.

"Projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan will continue to be implemented, subject to details and procedures including land acquisition. We will cooperate with the state government for the interest of Penangites. We will reciprocate to implement projects for the benefit of Penangites," he said.

Nor Mohamed, who was asked to comment on Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's statement Sunday that federal projects committed to before elections should go on, said that statement was in line with what he had said to the media after chairing the meeting.

Koh also said that the Federal Government had no intention of punishing Penangites for voting for the opposition.

After bridge delay, PORR and monorail projects in doubt for Penang
By CHRISTINA CHIN and DERRICK VINESH


PENANG: Four days after being told of delays in the second Penang bridge project, the state could face further setbacks – the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road projects may not take off.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the mega projects have yet to be approved by the Federal Government and have not reached the “approval stage”.


First meeting: Nor Mohamed chairing the inaugural meeting of the state Federal Action Council at Bangunan Persekutuan in Penang yesterday. The council, which replaces the state action council, was formed in all five states controlled by the Pakatan Rakyat.

“There are many stages and procedures to follow before the projects can be approved, including land acquisition issues and tenders.

“I cannot give a commitment on the two projects as they have yet to reach the level where approval is being considered,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the state’s first Federal Action Council meeting at the Federal Government building here yesterday.

On a monorail proposal by the Melewar Industrial Group (MIG) to the state government recently, Nor Mohamed said it had nothing to do with the Federal Government.

The report quoted sources as saying the state may carry out a monorail project on its own to speed things up and not wait for the Federal Government to do it.

However, that could run into problems as licensing and privatisation of all rail-based transport come under the Federal Government.

Later, at a meet-the-people function, Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government would not scrap the second Penang Bridge project, even though the cost had increased by 22%, from RM3.5bil to RM4.3bil.

He said he had not seen any evidence that the project needed to be reviewed.

“Of course, we have to make sure the project’s designs are cleverly done to minimise costs. But, the project is still on,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced on April 22 that the second Penang Bridge project would be delayed by nine months due to land acquisition, design and rising costs.

He also said the Government was reviewing a number of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan due to the escalating price of materials.

The proposed 24km bridge, which will link the island and Seberang Prai, is scheduled to open in January 2011.

On Rapid Penang, Nor Mohamed said its fleet of 150 buses would be expanded in phases to cater to the outskirts on the mainland.

Koh: Projects must go on


KUALA LUMPUR: All Federal Government projects committed before the March 8 elections must be carried out for the benefit of the people of Penang, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.

The former Penang chief minister said this included the Second Bridge and the Monorail projects.

He denied the Federal Government was giving the Pakatan Rakyat Government in Penang a hard time and punishing Penangites for voting in the then Opposition.

“I would be the first to disagree if the intention is to punish Penangites,” he told reporters yesterday after chairing the Gerakan central working committee meeting.

The Gerakan acting president said he had already made his stand as early as in the first week after the general election – that all federal projects in the state should go on.

He stressed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had also made this clear. “As far as the Second Bridge is concerned, it’s already committed, and should go ahead.”

However, he pointed out that in big infrastructure projects like the Penang Second Bridge or the Monorail, there were bound to be technical and financial problems, which would result in some delays regardless of whether the state was under the Barisan or Pakatan.

He said delays to the bridge project started even before March 8.

On Saturday, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said mega projects in the state like the Monorail and the Penang Outer Ring Road might not take off as they had not reached “approval” stage yet.

To this, Dr Koh said, there was some confusion over the Monorail project.

He said before March 8, the state government spent a lot of time discussing and engaging Federal Government departments on the project, and four companies had submitted proposals, each with different alignments.

In Petaling Jaya, Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government was sincere about working with the Pakatan-led Penang government, and had no intention of cancelling projects announced under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

He said the three-hour Penang Federal Action Council meeting which he chaired on Saturday was to call for more cooperation with the state government, accelerate projects and overcome problems such as land acquisition, and to discuss cost controls.

“The Prime Minister has said that he is the Prime Minister for all. It applies to Penangites as well. The election is behind us now,” he said.

“Projects under the 9MP will continue to be implemented subject to details and procedures, including land acquisition. We will cooperate with the state government in the interest of Penangites.”

Koh: Projects must go on


KUALA LUMPUR: All Federal Government projects committed before the March 8 elections must be carried out for the benefit of the people of Penang, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.

The former Penang chief minister said this included the Second Bridge and the Monorail projects.

He denied the Federal Government was giving the Pakatan Rakyat Government in Penang a hard time and punishing Penangites for voting in the then Opposition.

“I would be the first to disagree if the intention is to punish Penangites,” he told reporters yesterday after chairing the Gerakan central working committee meeting.

The Gerakan acting president said he had already made his stand as early as in the first week after the general election – that all federal projects in the state should go on.

He stressed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had also made this clear. “As far as the Second Bridge is concerned, it’s already committed, and should go ahead.”

However, he pointed out that in big infrastructure projects like the Penang Second Bridge or the Monorail, there were bound to be technical and financial problems, which would result in some delays regardless of whether the state was under the Barisan or Pakatan.

He said delays to the bridge project started even before March 8.

On Saturday, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said mega projects in the state like the Monorail and the Penang Outer Ring Road might not take off as they had not reached “approval” stage yet.

To this, Dr Koh said, there was some confusion over the Monorail project.

He said before March 8, the state government spent a lot of time discussing and engaging Federal Government departments on the project, and four companies had submitted proposals, each with different alignments.

In Petaling Jaya, Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government was sincere about working with the Pakatan-led Penang government, and had no intention of cancelling projects announced under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

He said the three-hour Penang Federal Action Council meeting which he chaired on Saturday was to call for more cooperation with the state government, accelerate projects and overcome problems such as land acquisition, and to discuss cost controls.

“The Prime Minister has said that he is the Prime Minister for all. It applies to Penangites as well. The election is behind us now,” he said.

“Projects under the 9MP will continue to be implemented subject to details and procedures, including land acquisition. We will cooperate with the state government in the interest of Penangites.”

You know? I am quite surprise that Koh actually makes so much comments and noise recently after he lost in the last election.

If he could make the same level of constructive comments and noise when he was still a CM, I would say those projects would have been implemented.

Is he trying to gain back people's trust and vote? Certainly not mine.

I want a dog that can watch over and protect my house, not a dog that only knows how to bark when he realises that his owner is neglecting him!!!

Perhaps I am wrong because personally I really hate this guy!

Haha, good point, Magician.
Maybe you read a lot of his news because recently Gerakan hold their meeting in KL lar. So need publicity mah, if not, who will report or who will care when is the next Gerakan election. haha...

Zaini denies change of contractors for second bridge
by Jose Barrock
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com


KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Zaini Omar who heads the special task force for the implementation of the second Penang bridge said yesterday that there would not be any changes to the contractors for the project.

“As far as I’m concerned, both China Harbour (Engineering Co Ltd) and UEM (Builders Bhd) are still the main contractors… it’s just a matter of fine-tuning the details,” he told wire service Bloomberg via a phone interview.

Zaini’s response came after widespread speculation that the two parties — UEM Builders and China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) — were at loggerheads, and may go their separate ways, after failing to effectively commence construction of the bridge. An issue of escalating cost was also said to be a problem.

The initial cost of the bridge when the construction works started in November last was in the region of RM3 billion. Recent news reports have stated that the cost of constructing the 24-kilometre bridge will be in the region of RM4.3 billion, after an initial price tag of RM4.8 billion was shot down by the government.

It has been reported that CHEC is looking at a cost of about RM2.3 billion for the building of the 17km portion across the sea, while UEM Builders has placed a price tag of about RM2.5 billion for its portion of the work. Much of the higher cost has been attributed to escalating raw material costs such as cement and steel while the delay is reported to be due to land acquisition issues.

Zaini is said to be making a final recommendation on the costing of the second bridge this week.

UEM Group, which operates the existing bridge was awarded the contract to build the bridge on a direct negotiated basis. CHEC was roped in after a funding of US$800 million (RM2.54 billion according to the exchange rate then) was secured from China Exim (Export Import) Bank for the bridge.

UEM Builders closed unchanged yesterday at RM1.25, while its 51.7% parent UEM World Bhd shed four sen to end trading at RM3.30.

Traffic Situation on Penang Bridge
Pics taken by my dad :-

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2452047323_944d1b1f16_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2452047599_d94d60109d_o.jpg

no more delay for the 2nd link please......
Imagine those who have to use the bridge everyday just to get to work......
and those pics taken were not even during the peak hours!!!!

^^ wow very nice pics

I respect your dad, and thanks you dad for bringing us this valuable angle of photos.

2nd Penang Bridge
More ships for sea-deepening job
By Marina Emmanuel
Published: 2008/04/30




CHINA Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), the main contractor of the second Penang bridge, is awaiting the arrival of 18 more ships to complete its sea-deepening work for the project.

It is learnt that the Beijing-based company, which has already brought in two dredging ships, is waiting for permits from local authorities to bring in the remaining vessels.

"It is likely to take CHEC four months to complete the deepening work, and the company remains confident that it can finish its 17km sea-portion of the bridge on schedule," industry sources told Business Times.

CHEC, which set up an office in Penang last year, has so far deployed 200 of its staff for the project.


The 24km second Penang bridge (of which 17km will be on water) linking Penang island and Seberang Prai, is the largest overseas project for CHEC in terms of value.

Upon completion in 2011, the bridge is set to be the longest in Southeast Asia.

State-owned CHEC is a Fortune 500 company, with a global footprint via 15 companies and 20 overseas resident offices. It is a unit of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, China's top port builder.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has named CHEC as its main contractor for the bridge project and a consortium, named CHEC-UEMC, has been formed.

CHEC holds 51 per cent of the venture while UEM has the rest.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Finance Minister, is expected to chair a special meeting this week on the bridge project.

It is learnt that Abdullah, together with Tan Sri Zaini Omar, who heads a taskforce on the project, is expected to sit down with the project's stakeholders which include Minister of Finance officials, UEM and CHEC to finalise cost and design issues.

Sources say that the government will allow no variation orders to the ceiling price of the bridge which has been set at RM4.3 billion.

"CHEC has told the government that its 17km sea portion will cost RM2.3 billion and expressed its willingness to have independent parties verify its costing for the sea portion," they added.

good that Chinese company keep pushing the slow government+sluggish GLC(IEM) on this project...

shameful

IEM? Isn't that Institute of Engineer, Malaysia (IEM). What does it have to do with the 2nd bridge?

UEM World lah, fren!

typo perhaps. U and I on our keyboard sits next to each other

its ok..

Decision Likely On Toll Period For Second Penang Bridge By First Quarter 2010
December 20, 2009 16:03 PM

BUTTERWORTH, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The government is expected to finalise by the first quarter of next year the toll concession period for the second Penang Bridge, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said on Sunday.

"There are many methods of setting the concession period and deciding on the amount of toll. We will consider all these and decide what is best for the people, especially those in Penang," he said.

He was asked to comment on Anil Netto's remark in his blog that the concession period for the bridge would be 45 years as per the 2008 annual report of the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Nor Mohamed, who heads the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), said the government would conduct research to determine the amount each motorist would have to pay for using the bridge.

"We must approve an amount which everyone is able to pay so that it gives everyone an equal opportunity to travel on the bridge," he told reporters after a meeting of the Pokok Sena farmers organisation authority, here.

He said some toll concession periods allowed the concessionaire to raise the quantum of toll annually while some retained one amount for several years.

Last year, the government set up Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB), a special purpose vehicle, to supervise and fast-track the second Penang bridge project.

The 26-km bridge, which will link Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, is a project undertaken jointly by UEM Builders and China Harbour Engineering.

-- BERNAMA

Pak Lah: Rubber bearings to make second Penang bridge safer

GEORGE TOWN: The use of high damping rubber bearings (HDRB) in its construction can help protect the second Penang bridge from structural damage due to earthquakes, former prime minis- ter Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

Abdullah, who visited the bridge construction site here yesterday, said HDRB was an innovative product.

“This technology is most useful for construction regarded as critical. It can also be promoted for use in other critical constructions,” he said after attending a briefing on the construction of the bridge by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd.

The second Penang bridge, which will be the longest in Southeast Asia, spans 23.5km and will link Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland. The joint-venture project by China Harbour Engineering Company and UEM Builders Bhd began in 2008 and is expected to be completed in November 2013.

Abdullah said he was pleased to learn that the project was running according to schedule.

On another matter, the former PM said he hoped that the street demonstrations which took place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday would be the last.

He said the people must realise that the Go-vernment had implemented various changes for economic development to enhance the quality of life.

“Now is the time for political parties to focus on the next general election and not stage rallies,” Abdullah added. — Bernama

New pride of Penang
By ZALINAH NOORDIN
zalinah@thestar.com.my Photos by GARY CHEN


THE 24km-long second Penang bridge is 54% completed and it is on track to be completed by Nov, 2013, said former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said this assurance was given by the host of contractors involved in constructing the super structure linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai.

Abdullah also said that the project would also incorporate a uniquely designed technology known as High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDRB).

The RM4.5bil project is the first to use the HDRB technology which is designed to withstand the effects of earthquakes.

“HDRB is an innovative tool to protect not only the structure but also the materials and contents inside the structure,” Abdullah said.

“This feature is useful for critical structures as it can stand the test of time.

“I an also proud that the HRDB is designed by a Malaysian and like all Penangites, I am eagerly awaiting the completion of the bridge.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/7/11/north/018624660.jpg
Project on track: Part of the ongoing construction work at the second Penang bridge linking Batu Maung on Penang Island to Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai

“The bridge will definitely be breathtaking,” he said.

He was speaking after attending a briefing session on the bridge’s progress work at the China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) (M) Sdn Bhd office in Batu Maung yes-terday.

Present was Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

Abdullah also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction which comprised five packages. including the RM2.2bil substructure by China-based CHEC and the RM1.5bil superstructure by Malaysia’s own UEM Builders Bhd.

The three main contractors for overland connections are Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd (for the RM67mil Batu Maung link), IJM Corp Bhd (RM350mil Batu Kawan link) and HRA Teguh Sdn Bhd (RM152mil link to North-South Highway).

The bridge is set to be the longest in South-East Asia.

Work on second Penang bridge ahead of schedule
By ANDREA FILMER
andrea@thestar.com.my


GEORGE TOWN: Construction of the second Penang bridge is running ahead of schedule.

As such, the bridge is expected to be completed two months before November 2013.

“Some of the packages are ahead of schedule while some are behind, but on average the bridge is 65% complete,” said Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/10/18/nation/n_01penangBridge.jpg
The second Penang bridge taking shape, as seen from the island side of the project. The bridge is expected to be ready two months ahead of the November 2013 completion date. - CHIN CHENG YEANG / The Star

He described this as a good “buffer” for the contractor ahead of the monsoon season.

“There are many factors when it comes to projects of this size and this one is being conducted in the middle of the sea.

“If conditions are favourable, construction may finish two months early,” Shaziman said during a visit to the bridge's Pier 90 where work on the superstructure is currently in progress.

He added that construction was targeted to reach 70% by the end of the year with the overall cost of the bridge unchanged at RM4.5bil.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/10/18/nation/n_04penangBridge.jpg
The construction of the RM4.5bil second Penang Bridge is expected to be completed by September 2013.

Shaziman expressed disappointment that there was no industrial trainee working on the second Penang bridge this year.

“I have asked the implementing agency to get in touch with universities that have engineering schools to send their students to this project.

“Last year, we had more than 50 university students doing their practical training here,” said Shaziman, adding that he would get in touch with the Higher Education Ministry on the matter.

He said the experience of working on sizable projects like the second Penang bridge was invaluable for students.

“We want the local workforce to benefit as much as possible from this project,” he said, urging companies involved in the construction to hire more local skilled workers.

problem is, would the 2 car lanes for each way is sufficient (was said had plan for 45 ahead)...but wonder would it need to upgrade like 1st bridge later on?

They never learn!Same old storylah in the years to come like the traffic is going to be less and less:bash:

They never learn!Same old storylah in the years to come like the traffic is going to be less and less:bash:

If build all three lanes now, in the future, say 15 years, no more project to jumpstart the 'economy' la..

Oh ya i forgot thats the way it is here!Whose what economy again?:ohno:

They never learn!Same old storylah in the years to come like the traffic is going to be less and less:bash:

I think they do learn, learn from Singapore-JB 2nd link -- which not much traffic flow there. That 2nd link had to force Transnasional buses and other gov related to use, and also offer some package to entice more traffic.

I think they do learn, learn from Singapore-JB 2nd link -- which not much traffic flow there. That 2nd link had to force Transnasional buses and other gov related to use, and also offer some package to entice more traffic.

I think the main reason could be the population on the Johor side and also the high toll rates imposed there.

This would change if Iskandar turns into a megapolis and if they lower the rate

I think they do learn, learn from Singapore-JB 2nd link -- which not much traffic flow there. That 2nd link had to force Transnasional buses and other gov related to use, and also offer some package to entice more traffic.

Not only that, the government is now building an entirely new city on the Johor side (Nusajaya/Medini) just to make people use the second link. Moral of the story is, never build a link far from where the big population is.

How many toll plaza from the PLUS highway to the checkpoint?Heading into singapore via the 2nd link still the better option from the PLUS highway especially during peak rush hour and weekends I can never understand why the gomen doesnt make it mandatory for all heavy vehicles to use the 2nd link after all these years !When all the major industrial areas are on that side of the island !

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How many toll plaza from the PLUS highway to the checkpoint?Heading into singapore via the 2nd link still the better option from the PLUS highway especially during peak rush hour and weekends I can never understand why the gomen doesnt make it mandatory for all heavy vehicles to use the 2nd link after all these years !When all the major industrial areas are on that side of the island !

It is interesting to see we have under-utilise SG-JB 2nd link is a REPEAT failure of HK-SZ Shenzhen Bay link.

A lot of Johorean and Singaporean like to use Woodlands/JB original link to cross border, same like HongKee and Chinese to use LokMaZhow or LuoHu link to cross border. It is exactly factoring by better transportation system, population and business activities. While 2nd link (Malaysia or Shenzhen Bay) is lack of driving factor.

Same goes to Penang 2nd link. If Penang has ever build tunnel thru Georgetown to Bagan Ajam, I think it will more deteriorate 2nd link usage.

But, to think it alternatively, these 2nd link is a life insurance. If original link is choked, it can be used as bypass.

It is interesting to see we have under-utilise SG-JB 2nd link is a REPEAT failure of HK-SZ Shenzhen Bay link.

A lot of Johorean and Singaporean like to use Woodlands/JB original link to cross border, same like HongKee and Chinese to use LokMaZhow or LuoHu link to cross border. It is exactly factoring by better transportation system, population and business activities. While 2nd link (Malaysia or Shenzhen Bay) is lack of driving factor.

Same goes to Penang 2nd link. If Penang has ever build tunnel thru Georgetown to Bagan Ajam, I think it will more deteriorate 2nd link usage.

But, to think it alternatively, these 2nd link is a life insurance. If original link is choked, it can be used as bypass.

Happen to use the SG-JB 2nd link for the first time last weekend by taking the Causeway link bus from Jurong all the way to Bukit Indah. Notice both the checkpoint at Tuas and Tg. Kupang is quiet and there is no need to queue. Probably due to the high toll charges not many people would want to take this route. Taking bus from Jurong cost SGD4 while from Bukit Indah back to SG RM5. If you travel from Woodlands it only cost you half of the amount you spend.

Whether the 2nd Penang bridge will be well utilised would depend only on 1 factor and 1 alone: The toll rate.

If it does not differ much from the 1st bridge it would receive considerable use.

Location wise, it would not matter as much as compared to the difference between JB-Spore Causeway and 2nd link, because the distance between 1st & 2nd Penang bridge is much less compared to JB-Spore.

The connection between the 2 briges on Penang island is also much better

Second Penang Bridge on track for November 2013 opening
By theedgeproperty.com
Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:22

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): The Second Penang Bridge has achieved 70% completion and 1.5 months ahead of schedule, said Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) in a statement on Dec 30, 2011.

It is confident that work is on the track towards the target opening date of the bridge in November 2013. JKDB is a wholly-owned company of Ministry of Finance Incorporated, and was appointed as the concessionaire for the Second Penang Bridge Project in August 2008.

JKSB said the contract for the construction of the toll plaza has been awarded to S U Citra Bina Sdn Bhd for RM79.8 million. Site possession has been surrendered on Nov 15 while preliminary works has taken place. The construction of the toll plaza is expected to be completed in July 2013.

The toll plaza has been designed to meet the Gold rating of the Malaysian Green Building Index. The Green Building concept is introduced in the design to promote energy efficiency, internal environmental quality and sustainability in planning and management of the toll plaza.

After three years of construction, this project has attained series of significant milestones, said JKSB. Apart from being the longest bridge in Southeast Asia i.e. 16.9 km, it is also the longest bridge in the world that incorporates High Damping Rubber Bearing as an alternative to mechanical pot bearing to provide an effective seismic isolation system.

In October 2011, JKSB has also issued ex-gratia payment amounting to RM 6.685 million to 3,011 fishermen, cockles and aqua breeders as part of the settlement to their complaint on the construction of the Second Penang Bridge affecting their areas.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Batu Maung Interchange and access to the cable-stayed bridge from Batu Maung as well as partial access from Batu Kawan is scheduled to be completed by end of 2012. The pylon for the cable-stayed bridge is also expected to complete in 2012.

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:cheers1:Wow ! Thank you so much for the photos Joo

wow

Second Penang Bridge toll set at RM7 for cars
March 11th, 2012


GEORGE TOWN: Car toll for the Second Penang Bridge has been set at RM7, said Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

“Tolls will match those of the first Penang Bridge. We want it to be lower, but if we are lower, the first bridge management will complain and sue for compensation.

“The first Penang Bridge was supposed to increase (the car toll) to over RM9, so we were ready to follow them.

“However, now they have confirmed that they are staying at RM7, so we will also charge the same,” he said after witnessing Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah cast the second bridge’s 292nd and final pier marking the end of foundation works.

Asked how long the RM7 toll would remain, he said at least until 2038.

It was first announced in June 2010 that car toll for the first Penang bridge would be hiked from RM7 to RM9.40 in 2013.

In November last year, it was reported that the concession period for the Penang bridge had been extended to Dec 31, 2038 in exchange for a freeze on toll hikes.

On the progress of the Second Penang Bridge, Dr Ismail said works were 73% completed with some 3.5% ahead of schedule.

If all proceeded well, he added, the bridge could be completed two months ahead of the September 2013 target.

Upon completion, the Second Penang Bridge will be 24km long 10.5km longer than the first bridge which will make it the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

Tol RM7 kira ok la, asalkan jgn kurang dari rate jambatan pertama. Progress jambatan kedua berjln lancar, pemasangan deck laluan hampir smpai ke pier 'stayed cabel tower'.

Tol RM7 kira ok la, asalkan jgn kurang dari rate jambatan pertama. Progress jambatan kedua berjln lancar, pemasangan deck laluan hampir smpai ke pier 'stayed cabel tower'.
Agree with you there... At least road users have two options to choose from, when heading into PG Island, and both are priced equally...

Speaking of the Second Bridge, with its over 20km length, this will mean that the Bridge will be one of the longest in the world, am I correct?

yes, correct..and maybe one of the longest cable stayed bridge.

gosh...its dem fast...good work