Nod for Penang’s second link

BY OPALYN MOK



PENANG: The Federal Government has approved the proposed multi-billion ringgit second link project connecting Penang island and the mainland.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the link had been identified as one of the projects under the five-year 9th Malaysia Plan, which starts in 2006.

He said the Public Works Department would have to conduct a feasibility study on the project, but did not specify when the study or construction would begin.

“The proposed second link project involves huge capital and we have to look at the long-term cost.

“There is also a need to look at the environmental impact,” he told a press conference after attending a meeting with state PWD officers at Komtar.

The proposed second link will complement the Penang Bridge, which will celebrate its 19th anniversary tomorrow, and the ferry service.

Initial estimates, in 1997, put the cost of the second link at between RM2bil and RM2.6bil, but the actual cost may have risen.

The second link, which will connect Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is deemed by the authorities to be necessary as the volume of traffic on the Penang Bridge will soon reach its maximum daily capacity of 100,000 vehicles.

At present, an average of 70,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.

Asked whether a proposal that the bridge be widened was approved, Mohd Zin said the Government was still looking into the possibility, as the bridge’s design allowed it to be expanded for another lane each on both sides.

Great news!!! Hope to see the plan soon.....

hope there will be no delays anymore, just glad it will happen.

Residents welcome link decision

News of the proposed Second Link project connecting the island to Seberang Prai has brought much cheer to residents in Batu Maung and Batu Kawan.

It was reported yesterday that the proposed Batu Maung-Batu Kawan link had been identified as one of the projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to start in 2006.

Many Penangites said they hoped the Second Link would help ease traffic congestion on the Penang Bridge.

Batu Kawan resident Cheng Ah Choon, 72, said Batu Kawan and nearby Bukit Tambun only enjoyed development after the opening of the North-South Expressway interchange about 10 years ago.

He said if the proposed link should end at Batu Kawan, the price of land in Batu Kawan would go up again.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/news/2004/9/15/bridge.jpg
HOT TOPIC:(From left)Cheng,Lim Chye Huat,33,Tan Teck Seng,50,Wong Weng San,50, and Khaw Chin Joo,47,discussing the Second Link project in Taman Merak,Bukit Tambun, yesterday.

The proposed link should reduce travelling time from Nibong Tebal to the island from one hour to only 15 minutes.

The short travel time will allow the seafood business in Batu Kawan and Bukit Tambun to flourish, he added.

Batu Maung inshore fisherman Saw Thean Boo, 36, said the link would spur development in the area but might adversely affect the livelihood of inshore fishermen.

Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (Pifwa) advisor P. Balan said the link project might affect the livelihood of the 200 inshore fishermen.

“The construction of the link would pollute the sea and this will kill or drive away most of the fishes and prawns there,” he said.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president S.M. Mohamed Idris said CAP was against the link being built as it would only bring more vehicles to the island.

He said the government should spend money on upgrading public transport facilities instead of building more roads and bridges.

Batu Maung assemblyman Mansor Musa, in welcoming the government's move to approve the link, said it would bring a lot of improvement to the sleepy town.

‘Penang Bridge good for growth’

BY J. SEBASTIAN

The Penang Bridge, which was opened to the public on Sept 15, 1985, turns 19 today without fanfare.

But development in the state, especially on the mainland, would not be as good as it is now without the bridge.

Many will remember that the open invitation to walk along the 13.5km bridge before it was opened for use.

“We have to thank our past leaders for their foresight in planning and building the bridge,” said state Works, Public Amenities and Tran-sport Committee chairman Datuk Koay Kar Huah.

“Imagine having to depend solely on ferries to transport container trucks and other lorries now using the Penang Bridge daily. That would have probably put the brake on our growing economy.”

Koay lauded the Federal Government for approving the state's Second Link project to connect Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland.

He said the traffic volume on the bridge was heavy and there would be congestion whenever maintenance work was being carried out or an accident had occurred.

An average of 70,000 vehicles use the bridge, which has a maximum capacity of 100,000, daily.

Former state executive councillor Datuk Khor Gark Kim, who was in charge of Public Works when the bridge was opened, said development of Seberang Prai would be stunted if not for the bridge.

Today, half of the state’s population is on the mainland.

Talk about widening the Penang Bridge surfaced in 1995, and a year later, there was talk of the need for a second Penang island-mainland link.

The Federal Government has approved the Second Link proposal on Monday.

Koay said the state government suggested that the Penang Bridge concessionaire install an intelligent traffic system (ITS) to better manage traffic flow on the bridge.

“Traffic flow on the bridge could be better managed with the system but the concessionaire, Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd, claims it does not have the funds,” he said.

He said the ITS could include a pre-alerting system which would warn other users 30 seconds or a minute of any vehicles getting stalled on the bridge.

Happy Birthday, Penang Bridge

The penang second link will only be launch between 2006-2010 under five-year 9th Malaysia Plan:(:(..

good to hear that we will get a new bridge, sad to hear that we have to wait for so many years. If the bridge built in 2010, when it is complete..sudah tua liao loh...

any pics of proposed new link? :) :) :)

any pics of proposed new link? :) :) :)

No pic..I have search on the net several times already..but still fail to find it:C

BTW where r u from..Penang?:D

BAD NEWS!!! :cry: :cry: :cry:



Penang Bridge to be widened to six lanes



News update by Teoh Teik Hoong of The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government has decided to widen the existing Penang Bridge instead of building a second link from the mainland to the island.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the existing bridge would be widened from its present four-lane carriageway to a six-lane carriageway.

Samy Vellu announced this at the Asean Skills competition event at his office here on Monday.

It is time for Sammy to retire.... ask him to go to die... :weirdo:

aww this is bad..
>pablo: i was searching for the pic of penang second bridge as well, guess i could give it up now :sleepy:

why the government change their mind so quickly? few weeks ago they want to build the second link, but now they scrap the plan. >( >( >( >( >(

Here's the full report:

:cry: :cry: :cry:




Government to widen Penang Bridge



KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government has decided to widen the Penang Bridge instead of building a second link from the mainland to the island.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the existing bridge would be widened from its present four-lane carriageway to a six-lane carriageway.

“Due to the high cost involved to build a second link, we have decided to widen the existing bridge instead.

“This measure is expected to cope with traffic volume for the next five to six years,” he told reporters after handing over the Jalur Gemilang to the Asean Skills Competition delegation at his ministry.

Samy Vellu said a decision would be made by then on whether to build the second link.

He said the cost of widening the present bridge had yet to be determined.

“Work will start on the road widening once a decision has been made on how much it would cost and who will pay for it,” he added.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed had last week been quoted as saying that the Federal Government had approved the proposed multi-billion ringgit Second Link project connecting Penang island and the mainland.

He had said the link had been identified as one of the projects under the five-year 9th Malaysia Plan, which starts in 2006.

On the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Samy Vellu said the evaluation by independent consultant, Roger J. Buckby from the Halcrow Group Ltd, Britain was expected to be submitted to his ministry by the end of this week, with recommendations on remedial measures to be taken.

On the Asean Skills Competition, Samy Vellu said a delegation was leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam today to participate in the week-long event.

“Twenty four participants will be competing in this event, which the Government has spent RM300,000 to train and prepare them for,” he said.

I heard the Federal Government also says 'NO' to Johor-Singapore half bridge project... and the Putrajaya Monorail System... is it true?

From THE STRAITS TIMES

KL govt defers half-bridge project to rein in deficit
By Leslie Lau

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is determined to pare down its huge fiscal deficit by deferring big-ticket projects such as the RM1.1 billion (S$492 million) half-bridge to replace the Johor Causeway, said Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Among the other projects deferred are a double rail track project costing RM9.7 billion and the RM368-million monorail track to Putrajaya.

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The government made the announcement last week in a written reply to questions from the opposition in Parliament.

The announcement that the half-bridge project would be deferred was a surprise because work on Johor Baru's new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex is going ahead at a feverish pace.

The new complex and the proposed half-bridge were part of the RM2.2 billion 'integrated southern gateway' project.

The half-bridge's deferment surprised the Johor state government. Speaking over the weekend, Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman urged the federal government not to delay the project to replace the Causeway.

He said that undue delays would affect the usage of the CIQ complex under construction in Johor.

Datuk Abdul Ghani added that the developer would be asked to build a temporary access road for vehicles from Singapore to enter the CIQ complex.

Until last month, the Johor government was hoping Singapore's new leadership would make a decision soon on building a new bridge to replace the Causeway.

Datuk Abdul Ghani said last month that if work on the proposed bridge was not started soon, it would be in danger of becoming a white elephant.

He said that a delay in completing the project would also affect Johor's plans for a new traffic system for Johor Baru.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad mooted the idea of replacing the Causeway with a bridge when he visited Johor in July 1996.

When the water issue was separated from the package of bilateral issues negotiated between Malaysia and Singapore in October 2002, Singapore called off its plans for the bridge.

Malaysia then opted to go it alone by building a curved 'half-bridge'. Singapore later said it was willing to work with Malaysia on the bridge, but only if it was included in a package of bilateral issues to be discussed between the two countries.

I heard the Federal Government also says 'NO' to Johor-Singapore half bridge project... and the Putrajaya Monorail System... is it true?




I am afriad it is true......not only those two but also the double-tracking project :cry:

Here's the news brief from The Star on Friday (17th Sept)


Projects on hold




THE RM1.1bil bridge to replace the Causeway in Johor Baru and several other mega projects have been put on hold, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.



Others include the RM9.7bil Ipoh-Penang-Padang Besar rail track, the RM5.5bil Seremban-Johor Baru double tracking rail systems and the RM368mil Monorail Line 1 Putrajaya project.

I am afriad it is true......not only those two but also the double-tracking project :cry:

Write in to Richard Branson and ask his Virgin group to take over KTMB.

He could raise RM15 billion in a second.

there's no need to build a long 24 km bridge. the government should instead build it on a much shorter route like near georgetown. the thing is that it will not only reduce cost but also makes georgetown more scenic. hint: just think san francisco (golden gate bridge) or sydney (harbour bridge) :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

How about Penang Monorail?? Are they going to hold this project too/?

Write in to Richard Branson and ask his Virgin group to take over KTMB.

He could raise RM15 billion in a second.


Yea......Richard Branson do wonders! :D ......Imagine.......from a record store to an airline!!! :dizzy:

It is time for Sammy to retire.... ask him to go to die... :weirdo:

lolol:lol:i just told TYW that i hate Sammy so much..but funny reply from TYW '' U hate him because he is wearing wig...'' :sleepy: :sleepy:

There is a news said that the current Penang Bridge cannot be widen. It is due to the bridge cannot sustain the weight of the widen lane. They have to lay a foundation in order to widen it...But, this action maybe damage the penang bridge as the pile will vibrate the bridge...??????:?

how about build another storey of highway instead of widening the lanes....it will save space. just imagine a two storey penang bridge.
:sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:

The double tracking project will be completed in end of 2006 lah. That's not a long wait anyway. ;)

how about build another storey of highway instead of widening the lanes....it will save space. just imagine a two storey penang bridge.
:sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:

U means turn penang bridge to 2 storey bridge:?
***The purpose of PORR some part have two storey highway:)..Sadly, this project was on hold...too many penangits oppose this project. They prefer a monorail:)

U means turn penang bridge to 2 storey bridge:?
***The purpose of PORR some part have two storey highway:)..Sadly, this project was on hold...too many penangits oppose this project. They prefer a monorail:)

they also oppose the monorail project, not as bad as they did to PORR though :bash: :bash: :bash:

quote from star online:

THE Works Ministry has “no power” to deny Penangites a second bridge, said a backbencher at the Penang State Assembly. Goh Kheng Sneah (BN-Batu Uban) said the decision-making power was in the hands of a Penangite. “We need not worry. We will get the second bridge. We have the Penang son who will deliver us the bridge,” he said, referring to Penang-born Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said the proposed second link between the island and mainland was among the many priority mega projects that must be implemented to put Penang on the right development track. Goh expressed disappointment over a statement by the Works Ministry that that the proposed second link might either be shelved or suspended.

He called on the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to ignore the National Landscape Department as it was stalling plans to beautify the island. “I urge the council to ignore the Landscaping Department and come up with its own master plan,” he said. Ooi Chuan Aik (BN-Bagan Jermal) called on the state government to ensure a smooth delivery system was in place in government departments as the people were still being pushed around.

“I felt cheated because a clerk at the land and mines office gave me the wrong information. “I was told that the deputy chief minister’s signature was needed to finalise an application by a foreigner to purchase property here. The deputy chief minister was in Australia at that time. “Days later, I found out that the application form could be signed by an officer at the land and mines office and that the deputy chief minister’s signature was not necessary,” he said.

star Oct 15:

Penang's Second Link is a must as the total registered vehicles of 1.3million in the state had surpassed the state's population. State executive councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan who said this added that the traffic on Penang Bridge was now 70,000 daily and would soon reach its maximum capacity of 100,000 vehicles daily.

“The state will continue to lobby for the project to be carried out soon,” he said. Dr Teng who is Penang State Local Government, Traffic Management, Infor-mation and Community Relations Committee chairman was speaking to reporters after opening the Car Impressions Sdn Bhd at Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) in Relau on Wednesday.

“With the emergence of the southwest district as a development centre, the Second Link will surely ease traffic congestion,” he said. The Second Link is said to connect Batu Maung on the Island and Batu Kawan on the mainland. Dr Teng stressed that they would continue to improve their traffic and public transport system in the state.

I do hope it gets started soon....maybe a supension bridge :D

how about build another storey of highway instead of widening the lanes....it will save space. just imagine a two storey penang bridge.
:sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:
what's the use of a two storey penang bridge?! That would not be very smart - what happens when all the traffic hits the island/mainland? then - traffic jam?

I do hope it gets started soon....maybe a supension bridge :D

it is supposed to start during the next malaysian plan. next year right??

And, it won't be a suspension bridge lah. i think it is something like the current bridge

Saturday March 26, 2005

Infobid partners French firm to pitch for Penang bridge job
BY DANNY YAP

INFOBID (M) Sdn Bhd has teamed up with Bouygues Travaux Publics SA of France to pitch for the building of Penang's second bridge, which is estimated to cost more than RM3bil.

Infobid managing director G. Muralimohan said his company had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bouygues Travaux this month making the French company its partner and representative for civil engineering works in Malaysia.

Bouygues Travaux, a unit of the diversified Bouygues group, is a specialist in highly technical and value-added engineering and construction works for tunnels and bridges.

Last year, Bouygues Travaux posted revenues of 796 million euros. And for the past 10 years, about 70% of its revenues had come from projects outside France.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/26/business/p3murali.jpg
G. Muralimohan

“It's a privilege for a local engineering company to team up with an established company like Bouygues Travaux with links to the Bouygues group, which has a strong financial standing and global presence,” Muralimohan said.

He said Infobid, together with Bouygues Travaux, were keen to help build Penang's second bridge and undertake maintenance and repair works on the existing bridge linking the island to the mainland.

“Bouygues Travaux can get access to soft loans to build the second bridge through its parent company,” he said in an interview with StarBiz.

Muralimohan also said the French company was prepared to build the bridge under a concessionaire agreement with the local authorities.

“We are open to discussing various options to finance the project,” he said, adding that the bridge was commercially viable and would significantly reduce traffic congestion on the existing bridge.

Currently, about 70,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.

Earlier proposals to build Penang’s second bridge were put on hold because of the high construction cost involved.

”We hope the authorities will consider our proposal,” Muralimohan said, adding that the mega project could help revive the local construction industry and possibly spur new projects.

“If the project goes ahead there will be a need to employ 2,500 workers and appoint 1,000 suppliers. Our local engineering companies would also stand to gain from the huge project in terms of employment and exposure to a niche business in the construction industry,” he noted.

Muralimohan said Bouygues Travaux was prepared to transfer technology to assist local companies to develop skills in the industry.

“Bouygues Travaux has given us a chance to tie up with them to establish a strong footing in the highly technical business of bridge and tunnel construction with the potential to market our expertise in the region,” he said.

Some of Bouygues Travaux's projects include the Groene Hart Tunnel in the Netherlands, which was completed last year, as part of the extension of the high-speed rail link between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Currently, the company is constructing a number of the portions of the high-speed Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) rail link in eastern France, the Lok Ma Chau Tunnel in Hong Kong, the Rouen-Alençon stretch of the A28 motorway in France, and the new Tangiers-Mediterranean port in Morocco.

Recently, Bouygues Travaux was also awarded a construction and maintenance contract for the Masan Bay bridge in South Korea, which would be the second longest in the country.

The Bouygues group, which is involved in the construction, telecommunications, media and utilities industries globally, recorded consolidated sales of 23.4 billion euros in 2004, up 7.2% on the previous year's figure.

Bouygues Travaux also did Kl Sentral!

April 16, 2005 14:03 PM

No Second Bridge For Penang For Now

IPOH, April 16 (Bernama) -- The government will not build a second Penang bridge for now but will implement the proposal to extend the existing Penang Bridge from four lanes to six, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the proposed second bridge linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland could not be built now because of the cost factor.

"The federal government is very concerned about the need to build a second bridge but it also has to take the RM2.6 billion cost into consideration. The federal government feels that for now, it's too expensive to build the bridge," he said.

He told a media conference this after a dinner to mark the retirement of Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council president Mat Rashid Ayob here last night.

He said analysis of several suggestions on whether the bridge construction could be funded through privatisation found this to be not viable.

"As such, the bridge can only be built with government support even after it is privatised.

"With an average of 110,000 vehicles using the Penang Bridge and 15,000 using the ferry service daily, we're not sure how many vehicles will use the second bridge," he said.

He said the ministry agreed that the second bridge was vital to Penang's development.

On the expansion of the existing bridge, Samy Vellu said the working paper on it would be tabled to the Cabinet on the second week of May as the proposal needed cabinet approval.

The cost had yet to be determined but it would involve the construction of two more lanes and 2m-wide road shoulders, he said.

"Who's to fund the project has also not been decided...whether Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd) and the government will pay part of it...this will be decided later", he said.

The Penang government had repeatedly stated that it wanted the 13m second bridge to be built as an alternative to the 20-year-old Penang Bridge which is becoming more congested and posed safety problems to consumers.

Asked whether the decision not to build the bridge now meant a postponement of the project, Samy Vellu said the proposal was constantly under the government's consideration.

Otherwise, the cabinet would not have appointed a consultant to do a study and prepare a design for the bridge, he said, adding that with the appointment, the design would be ready if the government decided to proceed with the construction.

-- BERNAMA

:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

yes..........no..................yes.................no...and continues.............. :sleepy: :sleepy:

Sunday April 17, 2005

At RM2.6billion, Penang's new link is just too costly, says Samy Vellu

IPOH: Penang will not get a second bridge for now as it is too expensive, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Although the Federal Government agreed that the proposed second bridge linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland was vital to Penang’s development, he said it would be too costly.

“The federal government is very concerned about the need to build a second bridge but it also has to take the RM2.6bil cost into consideration. The federal government feels that for now, it’s too expensive to build the bridge,” he said on Friday.

Samy Vellu, however, said the government would expand the existing Penang Bridge from four lanes to six.

He said several suggestions to fund the bridge construction through privatisation were found to be not viable.

“As such, the bridge can only be built with government support even after it is privatised.

“With an average of 110,000 vehicles using the Penang Bridge and 15,000 using the ferry service daily, we’re not sure how many vehicles will use the second bridge,” he added.

On the expansion of the existing bridge, Samy Vellu said the working paper on it would be tabled to the Cabinet in May for approval.

The cost had yet to be determined but it would involve the construction of two more lanes and 2m-wide road shoulders, he said.

“Who will fund the project has not been decided; whether Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd and the government will pay part of it will be decided later,” he added.

The Penang government has repeatedly stated that it wanted a second link as an alternative to the 20-year-old Penang Bridge.

Asked whether the decision not to build the bridge now meant a postponement of the project, Samy Vellu said the proposal was constantly under the government’s consideration.

“Otherwise, the Cabinet would not have appointed a consultant to do a study and prepare a design for the bridge,” he said, adding that with the appointment, the design would be ready if the government decided to proceed with the construction.

In September last year, Samy Vellu had announced that the construction of a second bridge was not economically viable.

But in February, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the state government was still pursuing plans to build a second bridge, saying it was needed as traffic on the Penang Bridge had reached a critical level.

The Federal Government then agreed to re-look the request.

Sunday April 17, 2005

Group: Review decision on bridge

PENANG: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers is up in arms over the announcement that Penang will not be getting a second bridge for now, saying it is bad for the state's economic growth.

Its northern branch chairman, Datuk O.K. Lee, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu should not have announced that the proposed second bridge would not be built because it was too costly.

“The second bridge is vital for attracting future investments. His statement can be detrimental to Penang’s future growth.

“Among the first few things investors ask about is the traffic condition. They do not want their operations to be stalled because their staff are caught in a jam,” he said yesterday.

He said this in response to Samy Vellu’s statement in Ipoh that the second bridge would not be built for now and that the existing bridge would be expanded from four to six lanes.

Urging the Federal Government to review its decision, Lee said the plan to expand the existing bridge from four to six lanes would only aggravate traffic congestion during peak hours.

“The cost factor was the main issue even when the first bridge was in the planning stages.

“But the Federal Government went ahead with the project. Today, it has been proven that Penang Bridge is beneficial as it has helped improve the country’s economy,” he said.

Lee said investors had been asking about the proposed second bridge, as they did not want to lose their million-ringgit investments in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Sungai Petani and Bukit Minyak.

“Investors need assurance that their goods can be transported without much delay to the airport,” he said.

An aide to Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the Chief Minister did not want to comment on the issue yesterday and would speak to the press today.

Haizz....i speechless....don't know wat to say too...

But 1 thing, The way Abdulah and Mahathir rule the country is totallly different, Mahathir want a lot of huge projects so that our country will develop....but Abdullah..want to save money, so taht our country will kaya...both, have their pro and prons la...

Haizz....i speechless....don't know wat to say too...

But 1 thing, The way Abdulah and Mahathir rule the country is totallly different, Mahathir want a lot of huge projects so that our country will develop....but Abdullah..want to save money, so taht our country will kaya...both, have their pro and prons la...



If this country is still under Mahathir's watch, the double-tracking project would be underway and the second Penang bridge would probably start liao :D

Koh: Second bridge project not scrapped

PENANG: Penang will get a second bridge that is “not fancy or expensive” sometime in the future, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon says.

Although the financing of the project posed a challenge, he said the bridge was not scrapped.

“I contacted Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu on the telephone this morning and he clarified that the second bridge was not completely off.








http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/18/nation/koh.jpg

CHECK-UP: Dr Koh getting his blood pressure checked at the Gerakan Free Health Screening Fest held at the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged in Penang yesterday.








“He said the engineering design of the second bridge would take about one-and-a-half years to complete while the alignment and Environmental Impact Assessment were already done,” he told a press conference at a Gerakan Free Health Screening Fest held at the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged yesterday.

“I also conveyed the wishes of the government and the people to the Prime Minister this morning and he said the second bridge project would be pursued,” he added.

Dr Koh said he emphasised to Samy Vellu that the state wanted a second bridge that was not fancy but just safe, endurable and economical.

He also proposed that the financing of the second bridge be tied up with the revenue of the first bridge, which was economically viable.

“Eventually, the second bridge will be there. It is a matter of financing and timing.”

“If we start the project today, we have to go into the designing part, the financing, tender process and construction, which will take years. In the meantime, it is only logical to widen the existing bridge,” he added.

State Local Government, Traffic Management, Information and Community Relations committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the second bridge was important to the growth of the northern region and the Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle, and not Penang alone.

He said that with an average of 110,000 vehicles using the existing bridge daily, it was operating above its optimal capacity of between 70,000 and 80,000.

At another function, Dr Teng said the state and country’s economic development could be crippled if the Federal Government was adamant about not building a second bridge.

He told reporters this after opening a health campaign for residents of Jalan Pantai Molek, Fettes Park at the Pantai Molek community hall.

Dr Teng said the second bridge was vital for companies which had invested in the Kulim High Tech Park, Alor Star, Sungai Petani and even Kelantan.

If this country is still under Mahathir's watch, the double-tracking project would be underway and the second Penang bridge would probably start liao :D

we got huge deficit remember?

If this country is still under Mahathir's watch, the double-tracking project would be underway and the second Penang bridge would probably start liao :D

Yeah..that is so true;)

And maybe he will add something..'' I don't want a simple bridge, i want a fancy, well design and awesome bridge, which can lure many many tourist in the future. And, we are actually killing two birds with one stone, ease the traffic and attract the tourist''..hahahha

we got huge deficit remember?


yea....with some private funding and loan I don't see why those projects are not feasible if we look at the bigger picture ;)

Who would know that Putrajaya would be a major tourist destination when it is conceptualised 13 years ago? Or that Penang Bridge which is grossly over-budget at that time would be over-used in just 20 years?

Infrastructure building are huge risk that its financial viability usually can't be accounted for. The double-tracking for instance would make Malaysia a logistic and tranportation hub as it speeded up cargo and passenger train traffic. Not to mention that it would eventually repay by itself as more people would be using the train ;) That goes the same with the Second Penang Bridge. Immeasurable gains are time saved from traffic congestion and the spurring of the Penang economy. Tangible gains are those they would be reaping from the toll gates :D

yes..........no..................yes.................no...and continues.............. :sleepy: :sleepy:



It is YES again! :banana:


:lol: :lol: :lol:

we got huge deficit remember?

No doubt...but if we want something awesome we may lose something too..therefore, i think wat Abdulah did right now is indeed need. After we have so much huge and wonderful projects when we were under Mahatir, now is time to save save liao..hahaha...But it must not means, no more awesome project or huge project which can attract tourist and also benefit Malaysia in the future...

The second link is very important in Penang, or even Malaysia..I live near to Penang Bridge..and it is not only jammed on the bridge..it even jammed along the way to the bridge or from the bridge..and i think it is time to ease the traffic..actually they shouldn't think on this way, enlarge the bridge, so that the volume of the cars can be increasing on the bridge..They nvr think when there are a lot of cars on the Penang Bridge, it also increase the traffics on the roads where heading to the Penang Bridge indirectly..The current road is pack with cars now..Despite working hours..it jammed like hell if there are any minor traffic jam..belive me, it'll jammed untill Scotland Road..which is 2 or 3 km near to the Gurney Drive. It even jam untill Air Itam..

Therefore, by building the second link, it is not only ease the traffic on the Penang Bridge it also ease the traffic along the road towards Penang Bridge. It means, some traffic will flow to the South of the Penang. Although the South of the Penang is full of factories..and it aslo jammed during the peak time. But i think the Coastal Highway and the new elevated highway which is going to be complete by this year will help alot to make the traffic flow smothly on the South.

Twenty-six projects from 9th Plan brought forward

BY SA’ODAH ELIAS



PUTRAJAYA: Twenty-six development projects originally slotted for the 9th Malaysia Plan have been brought forward to revitalise the sluggish construction industry.

The projects, which will cost the Government RM2.4bil, are scheduled to be announced in the next few days. They will commence from the middle of this year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government hoped this move would stimulate the industry that had contracted by 1.9% last year, and was expected to continue shrinking this year.

“These projects will be implemented through open tender to ensure competitive pricing.

“To benefit more contractors, the bigger projects that involve very high costs will be divided into packages and tendered separately,” he said when opening the 2006 Budget Consultation at the Finance Ministry yesterday. The Budget, which carries the theme Enhancing Quality Development: Commitment to Excellence, will be tabled on Sept 30 this year.

Abdullah, who is also Finance Minister, said imported materials would not be allowed for the projects, and priority would be given to contractors that utilise the industrialised building system.

He said the agencies involved in implementing this programme had been directed to act fast in advertising the opening of the tenders so that selection of contractors for the jobs could be speeded up.

Many parties, he said, had wanted the Government to emulate moves by many developed countries to increase the number of projects just to keep contractors from going bankrupt.

However, as a developing and trading nation that was at the mercy of various external factors, and one with a limited source of funds, such a move was not suitable for Malaysia, he said.

Still, the Government would strive for a balance between being prudent to ensure a sustainable deficit and ensuring a robust economic growth, as evidenced by this latest move to bring forward future projects, said Abdullah.

Aside from that, the Government had also allocated RM500mil to finance maintenance works on existing infrastructures nationwide.These jobs would be allocated to F-class contractors, he added.

Of that, he said, RM250mil had already been channelled to the Implementation and Coordination Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department for maintenance works that would be carried out at state level.

These involved 8,471 projects, and 2,567 contractors had been awarded tenders to carry them out, he said.

Those who attended the Budget Consultation session included representatives from various industries, non-governmental organisations, government-linked companies, and government agencies, as well as individuals.

Abdullah said the Government had chosen Enhancing Quality Development: Commitment to Excellence as the theme of this year’s Budget to emphasis its focus on development that is based on quality.

The 2006 Budget, he said, would influence the direction for the implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the second phase of Vision 2020.

The Budget would also focus on “soft infrastructure”.

On the question of Penang’s second bridge, Abdullah said it would be implemented after the existing one had been expanded.

“We are going ahead with the expansion; the second bridge will come later,” he added

This is really funny! :lol:


Try using bridge daily, Samy urged



PENANG: Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has been “invited” to live in Penang for two months – with free accommodation – to experience the traffic congestion on Penang Bridge.

Penanti assemblyman Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid extended the invitation to Samy Vellu during the Penang State Assembly sitting here yesterday when he debated the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech.

Referring to recent news report about the second bridge between the island and the mainland, he said the matter had been raised in past assembly sittings.

“All this talk will not resolve the matter. I invite the Works Minister to live in Penang for two months.

“He should live in Seberang Prai and work on the island,” Abdul Jalil said to the thumping of tables by the House.

Opposition leader Phee Boon Poh (DAP - Sungai Puyu) said he fully supported Abdul Jalil's suggestion and offered to pay for Samy Vellu’s accommodation.

At this juncture, Penang MIC secretary P.K. Subbaiyah (BN - Bagan Dalam) stood up to say it was not Samy Vellu but the Federal Government which made the decision on the second bridge.

Samy Vellu, who is MIC president, had said last Friday that Penang would not get a second bridge for now as it was too expensive to build at RM2.6bil.

He, however, said the Government would expand the existing bridge from four lanes to six.


:D

Bridge expanding project would cause tremendous traffic jam on the existing lane.

And I sincerely believe by the time the authority has completed expanding the bridge from 4 to 6 lanes, the amount of cars would have exponentially increased which in turn would still jam packed all 6 lanes.

Bridge expanding project would cause tremendous traffic jam on the existing lane.

And I sincerely believe by the time the authority has completed expanding the bridge from 4 to 6 lanes, the amount of cars would have exponentially increased which in turn would still jam packed all 6 lanes.


I think now the traffic is already capable of packing all the 6 lanes........dun waste the money lah.....just do the second bridge! :rant:

Bridge expanding project would cause tremendous traffic jam on the existing lane.

And I sincerely believe by the time the authority has completed expanding the bridge from 4 to 6 lanes, the amount of cars would have exponentially increased which in turn would still jam packed all 6 lanes.

exactly!! i wonder if they will close 1 of the 4 lanes during expansion?? Pablo said it used to jam all the way to air itam, by doing that maybe it will jam all the way to Relau?? :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

Tuesday April 19, 2005

Second bridge will benefit Penang

I REFER to your front-page report, “No second bridge” (Sunday Star, April 17).

Since the first electronics factory opened in Penang in the late 1960s, the state has spawned three generations of citizens who have dedicated themselves to IT and electronics manufacturing.

Penang has rightly earned its title of Silicon Valley of the East. I have been to Shah Alam and Johor, and have worked with people in the electronics manufacturing industry, and my vote still goes to Penang and its people.

I am amazed too at the dedication of the staff members of the Penang Development Corporation.

Every year they come up with creative activities to attract investors of high-end manufacturing facilities to Penang.

And now I hear the state government has created a new division called Invest Penang, with the sole function of attracting investment to the state.

My associates in California know more about Penang than Malaysia. They say that every year there are roadshows organised by the Penang government to attract not just investment but also talent to Penang.

At the grass-roots level, I am aware of the high level of dedication from managerial, administrative, technical and production staff of electronics manufacturing companies to their work.

Penang, therefore, is unique.

It is respected in the world of high-end IT and electronics manufacturing as an entity that delivers. It is the darling of investors.

So, a second bridge from the mainland to the island, no matter how expensive, would bring in a disproportionately high return on investment to the Federal Government.

The RM2.6bil price tag on the bridge is but a small price to pay for helping Penang grow and continue to maintain its competitive edge for itself and for Malaysia in the business of high-end IT and electronics manufacturing.



G. K. LIM,

Kuala Lumpur.

(via e-mail)

Wednesday April 20, 2005

Is a second bridge necessary?

Comment by V.K. Chin

AT ONE stage, it seemed like a bridge too far for Penang.

Obviously this is not the case as, according to Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, construction of a second bridge, at an estimated cost of RM2.6bil, had merely been postponed, and not abandoned.

So, Penang will still get its second bridge, although it may be several years down the road before work can begin.

By then, it may cost much more than the estimated figure, as labour wages and prices of building materials can be expected to go up.

Dr Koh was reported to have said that Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was going ahead with the groundwork for the project, which would take several years to complete.

The strongest ground forwarded by the state government was that the present bridge, built some 20 years ago, had reached maximum capacity, thus affecting traffic flow between the island and the mainland.

Without the second bridge, business activities would be badly affected; and there had also been warnings that investors might be discouraged from putting in more money to expand existing projects, and even to postpone future ones.

All such statements are meant to put pressure on the Federal Government to build the second bridge, as the impression given is that the economy of Penang and the surrounding areas would collapse without it.

But is this really the case? Is the present bridge really unable to cope with the present traffic volume, which undoubtedly has increased over the years?

This is a moot point, and traffic congestion will need to be properly defined.

To the layman, chronic congestion means the bridge is packed with vehicles 24 hours a day seven days a week. Is this what is happening now? This cannot be true.

There is a traffic snarl only during the rush hour, and on weekends and public holidays when more motorists, especially those from other states, use the bridge to get to the island.

Manufacturers and companies wishing to send their goods to and from the island can adjust their schedules in such a way that this is done during off-peak hours.

There is no necessity for goods vehicle drivers to jostle with motorists going to work or going about on their business during peak hours.

It will be bad economics to build another bridge just to address sporadic congestion, and end up with little traffic.

The second bridge is unlikely to be viable without sufficient traffic.

It is of course too early to say if construction of the second bridge would be privatised.

This is another contentious issue. If the project is to be privatised, then it must be clearly spelt out that the company appointed to collect toll will have to do without expecting the Federal Government to meet any shortfall in revenue later on.

It is an immense amount of money, and bank loans are required. Servicing such funds will be a heavy burden.

The Government cannot be expected to keep on paying compensation because of a revenue shortfall.

Dun worry.....still on lah! :lol:





Second link discussions still on


NIBONG TEBAL: Discussions on the proposed second link project are “still on”, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah.

He said both the Federal and Penang governments were looking at various options to finance the project.

“The state government has received a few proposals from local and foreign consortiums to carry out the project, and these were referred to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department,” he said.

“The government has to look for options in view of the high costs, he said after presenting the southern Seberang Prai district sports council flag to athletes taking part in the Penang Games.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had announced last week that Penang would not get the RM2.6bil second bridge, saying it was too expensive.

However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon later clarified that the proposed project had merely been postponed.

Koh said the bridge would not be “fanciful or expensive” but safe and economical.

Saturday May 14, 2005

Koh: Use money from fuel subsidies for second bridge

PENANG: The state government wants the money “saved” on fuel subsidies to be used to build the much-needed RM2.5bil second bridge.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the Federal Government could set aside RM500mil a year over the next five years to build the bridge.

“The amount that we are suggesting is only a fraction of the RM14bil that is being saved annually following the lifting of the subsidy on fuels.

“We are coming up with a detailed formula on how it can be done,” he told reporters after opening the Balik Pulau Gerakan division annual delegates conference in Bayan Baru on Thursday night.

The state had discussed the idea with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak late last month.

Penang had been lobbying for the second bridge even after Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had said that it was not financially viable to proceed with the project.

Dr Koh said bridge concessionaire company Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd (PBSB) should also partially finance the second bridge project.

“This is because the concessionaire company is generally enjoying high revenue every financial year,” he said.

Dr Koh added that the second bridge was vital to stimulate economic growth in the southwest and south Seberang Prai districts.

What I can tell you

"Please wait for a moment ..."
Or
"Under Construction Without Due Date"

What I can tell you

"Please wait for a moment ..."
Or
"Under Construction Without Due Date"

ha ha...i guess we are all sick of it

and WELCOME TO THE FORUM, Ez Malaysia

still goin on eh? it never ends.. build the second bridge! :rant:

They always say that construction will start soon but it is only start of more fallacies.

Friday December 9, 2005



Firm willing to fund Penang’s second link

RAWANG: A local company is willing to fully finance and construct the proposed second link in Penang, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said he would bring the proposal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for consideration.

“I will announce the details after getting the green light from the Prime Minister,” he told reporters after opening the Grand Paradise Highway Hotel at the Rawang rest and recreation area of the North-South Expressway yesterday.

Previously, the Government provided soft loans to companies undertaking highway projects in the country.

On the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project, Samy Vellu said the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department had submitted a report on its progress.

“The report will be tabled in the Cabinet in two weeks' time,” he said, adding that no major issue had arisen in the project's implementation.

The Works Ministry and project concessionaire Peninsular Metro Works Sdn Bhd will sign the contract after getting Cabinet approval.

To a question, Samy Vellu said he had spoken to Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and all “small misunderstandings” had been resolved.

“There is no truth in the newspaper report. There is no delay in the signing of the concessionaire agreement,” Samy Vellu said of reports that the project had been delayed several times.

The Government is expected to fork out RM870mil for the construction of the 17km PORR, a dual-lane carriageway to be constructed on land and sea.

PORR will link Tanjung Bungah to the Penang Bridge.

please build it before we got stuck in another economic crisis

NST: Penang Second Bridge by 2013

A second Penang Bridge will have to be built by 2013 as the present one can only handle increasing traffic till 2009, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.
The hydrography and design works were ongoing and consultants were awaiting authorisation to finalise the design, he said after launching a PLUS safety awareness campaign at the Sungai Buloh rest area.

He said it was futile to speculate on the possible cost of the project as construction costs increased often.



On a related matter, he said some 1.2 million vehicles were expected to ply the North-South Expressway daily in the festive period.

PLUS Expressway Berhad has initiated new toll plaza operations and awareness campaigns to handle the expected congestion.

There will be 155 additional payment counters with 375 extra staff to be stationed nationwide.

PLUS will also conduct frequent checks to ensure there are no glitches on all the 117 SmartTAG and 187 Touch ’n Go lanes.

Its helicopter unit will monitor traffic on the highway from Friday till Nov 6. Samy Vellu said roadworks on the third lane from Rawang to Slim River would also be halted from Friday to Nov 8 to ease congestion.

Motorists in need of assistance can call the toll-free PLUSLINE at 1-800-88-0000 or SMS by typing PLUS (message) to 32728

^^old article actually. sometime in January

Anyone know what surprise he is going to announce?

i think it might be the penang monorail

only that?

How about 2nd bridge, anyone have latest/insider news? I was hoping it will come true.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, PGPLAYER!!

Thanks TYW, hope to get more updated development news for Penang in this forum.

Thanks TYW, hope to get more updated development news for Penang in this forum.

i'll try my best to keep all of you updated ;)

This is what I extracted from the PM's 9MP speech to Parliament today

68. Apart from this, regional growth centres will be identified in several regions to spearhead development. The Southern Johor Economic Region will be developed in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The construction of the Second Penang Bridge will spur growth in nearby areas, including mainland Penang, Kedah and Perak and, will spur economic activities particularly for businesses that benefit from the port facilities and air cargo services.

Does this means 2nd Penang bridge is a "go"?

^^..yes precisely..so happy to hear that;)

wah from the papers i can see that the 2nd penang bridge is goin to be quite long...from Batu Maung to Batu Kawan...is like double the length of the first bridge...btw is this point BM-BK link first proposed last yr? :) : :cheers:

wah from the papers i can see that the 2nd penang bridge is goin to be quite long...from Batu Maung to Batu Kawan...is like double the length of the first bridge...btw is this point BM-BK link first proposed last yr? :) : :cheers:

yeah!! it will connect Batu Maung to Batu Kawan. we might see lots of development around that area. currently, Batu Kawan has a few townships under construction;)

Saturday April 1, 2006



Three cheers for second link

PENANGITES who have had to put up with road congestion and irregular public transportation are certainly looking forward to the second bridge linking the island to the mainland and the monorail promised in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Heart patient Tan Ean Ee, 58, from Perak Lane who gets around on abicycle, or by bus or taxi, said the monorail would be a convenient mode of transport for people without cars.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2006/4/1/nation/n_pg08mahadzir.jpg
Mohd Mahadzir: ‘Traffic congestion is very critical during peak hours’

“It is dangerous for cyclists as Penang drivers are notoriously reckless. The monorail will be a much faster, safer and more comfortable way to travel,” said Tan.

Social welfare assistant officer Mohd Mahadzir Shaari, 41, said the George Town area around the Komtar complex was in great need of a monorail.

“It is time to have a monorail there since traffic congestion is very critical during the peak morning hours between 7am and 9am and from 5pm to 8pm,” said the civil servant who lives in Air Itam.

Student Junnie Chong, 21, from Bayan Lepas who studies in Kuala Lumpur said a second bridge would greatly alleviate traffic congestion on Penang Bridge.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2006/4/1/nation/n_pg08suromoney.jpg
Suromoney: Said a second bridge was a must for Penang but was not so sure about the monorail

“I sometimes take the bus or drive back to Penang during the holidays and often face traffic jams on both the Penang Bridge and on the island,” she said.

Lorry driver N. Pulpanathan, 50, from Bukit Mertajam who uses the Penang Bridge almost daily, said accidents on the bridge would often lead to long queues before the toll booth on the Prai side.

“With a second link, we have an alternative route,” said Pulpanathan.

Mother of one, A. Suromoney, 33, said a second bridge was a “must” for Penang, but she had some reservations about the monorail system.

“I am worried about traffic conditions while construction of the monorail system is in progress,” said Suromoney from Jalan Kelawei

Four firms eye Penang link

SUNGAI SIPUT: Four local and foreign companies have shown interest in the Penang Second Link project which is expected to cost about RM2bil.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Government had yet to act on the expressions of interest because it was waiting for the consultancy report on the link.

He also said that government-appointed consultant HSS Engineering Sdn Bhd had completed its study on the project.

He said this to reporters after meeting Umno leaders and village heads here yesterday.

The proposed 23km-long link between Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai is one of the projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

On the detailed design of the new bridge, Samy Vellu said it was still being worked out.

The Government, however, wanted it to have six lanes.

Samy Vellu said a total of 280 road projects, costing a total of RM17.3bil, had been approved for implementation under the Plan.

Of the total, he said, 180 road projects worth RM10.7bil were a continuation from the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

The remaining 100 road projects, which cost a total of RM6.59bil, had been approved under the Ninth Plan, he said.

He added that 98 building projects, worth a total of RM1.3bil, had also been approved.

23km :eek2:

yay!! Penang will have 4th and 6th longest bridges in the world

and i think it is the only city in the world to have 2 bridges in the top 10

if im not mistake.. in 10MP, Penang will have 3rd link between island n kepala batas.

if im not mistake.. in 10MP, Penang will have 3rd link between island n kepala batas.

haha, so fast 10MP already :)
i only hope the government complete 2nd link 1st....

Second Penang Bridge A Reality Finally
01-04-2006


PENANG, Apr 1 (Bernama) -- Penangites travelling to and fro the island and mainland daily can breathe a sigh of relief as a second bridge will be built under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when tabling the ninth plan in Parliament on Friday would provide an alternative route to enter and exit Penang.

The 23.6km-long bridge will link Batu Kawan to Batu Maung.

The existing 13km Penang Bridge linking Georgetown to Seberang Jaya was built in 1986. However, after 15 years, the bridge had become congested, especially during peak hours.

The increasingly serious congestion prompted the Penang Government to ask for another bridge in 2000 and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in 2001 announced the construction of the 7.6km second bridge linking Bagan Ajam in north Seberang Perai to Bagan Jermal near Georgetown.

The RM2 billion project was however not acceptable to the state government which preferred the bridge to link the south of the mainland with the island.

The bridge was not built as the country was hit by the economic slowdown.

Samy Vellu on Monday announced that the government had started to identify locations along the south of the mainland to revive the project.

Although the bridge to the south would be longer, it would be cheaper as a bridge to the north would entail the construction of a tunnel which would require foreign expertise and imports.

A bridge to the south would not require foreign expertise or components and would also provide jobs to local contractors.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in delivering a talk titled "Developing the Country" at Universiti Sains Malaysia, had said the construction of the second bridge should be seen in total, including the income it would generate to all parties from nasi lemak sellers to workers at the bridge construction sites.

The areas which would benefit from the massive project would be from Juru to Nibong Tebal, Batu Kawan, Seberang Perai Selatan, Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau on the island, southern Kedah and northern Perak.

However, the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) said it feared the project would damage the environment and have a negative social impact.

Its President SM Idris said CAP and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) believed the bridge project would create greater traffic woes in the state.

He claimed the three mega projects for Penang under the 9MP -- the second bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road and monorail -- are opposed by the people in the state.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/jlshyang/n_62ndlink.jpg

^^ d'u guys know how this second bridge will look like? anyway! its a good news to hear that penangs finaly havin the bridge! :cool:

Where exactly are the connection points of the 2nd Penang bridge to Batu Maung? Link to the end of the coastal highway at the traffic light (cross road)? Or it will be connected to the back of the Batu Maung mountain? Anyone has the detail proposal of the bridge, interchange, land acquisition? What will it be like?

Hohoho.... hopefully in the near future, when I go back Penang, I don't have to call my friends or family to go to Airport to pick me up... while I can take the Monorail and enjoy the beautiful Penang...

i remembered reading an old article saying that the 2nd bridge will be a girder bridge :(

Will it make it one of the longest in Asia or even in the world? Whats the length of the bridge?

Will it make it one of the longest in Asia or even in the world? Whats the length of the bridge?

approx. 23 km...

Will it make it one of the longest in Asia or even in the world? Whats the length of the bridge?

the longest bridge in Asia is King Fahd causeway in Saudi Arabia/Bahrain. it is like 25km long.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Fahd_Causeway

Hmmm..If I am not mistaken, China will be the host for the longest bridge in Asia (maybe in world record!) in the future....:)

However, I still looking forward for the second link...Uh-hmm, can I ask a question about this second link? What is the type of the bridge? Cable-styled or Sea-tunnel?

Hmmm..If I am not mistaken, China will be the host for the longest bridge in Asia (maybe in world record!) in the future....:)

yeah! i saw a satelite pic of where the bridge will be. looks very long indeed

However, I still looking forward for the second link...Uh-hmm, can I ask a question about this second link? What is the type of the bridge? Cable-styled or Sea-tunnel?

the bridge will not be a tunnel. an old article mentioned that it will be a girder bridge. :(

Hmmm....this is quite sad.....I hope that the new second link will be more creative and will be famous than the current bridge..... :sleepy:
yeah! i saw a satelite pic of where the bridge will be. looks very long indeed
the bridge will not be a tunnel. an old article mentioned that it will be a girder bridge. :(

A crooked bridge will be certainly made it more famous than the current.

^^ alamak, a girder bridge ah...will just look like a very long flyover lor .. :(

^^ not all girder bridge looks crapy.. depends on the design.. some r simple but nice and some r crapy.. hope it wont effect the ships from comin in and out of the penang.. we'll just hav to wait and see the design.. then we'll judge!!

Girder bridge doesn't mean it will be like a flyover design. it can be a mixture with other types of design, like the current bridge, which is cable stayed plus girder.

however, the government mentioned that they want a functional, but not a beautiful bridge. so i guess, it might be flyover design afterall...:( but i guess we have to understand this decision as the bridge is a very long and thus expensive one.

I bet suspension bridge is too expensive to build but give some very highly aesthetic looks, eh?

don't worry about the design lah....just look at the bridges of Putrajaya, they look handsome,right?but San Francisco's and Istanbul's Bosphorus bridge are the good examples.....simple,yet very iconic

:runaway:

23km for a suspension bridge you must be kidding. The longest suspension in the world is nearly 4km.That's why the now Penang bridge 13 km long was built with a cable stayed method because it's do able.With the cost of steel soaring up and now situation the Malaysian gov don't have a lot of money i don't think it's a wise choice.Forget about doing a Golden Gate the main purpose is to connect the mainland to the island and ease the worsening traffic in Penang.
May be if we want to build such kind of bridge then the next RMK10 we dont have any projects more.no money

^^ yehh.. i agree wit u acela.. but we still hope that the design will be somethin more decent.. not a dull lookin girder bridge..

23km for a suspension bridge you must be kidding. The longest suspension in the world is nearly 4km.That's why the now Penang bridge 13 km long was built with a cable stayed method because it's do able.With the cost of steel soaring up and now situation the Malaysian gov don't have a lot of money i don't think it's a wise choice.Forget about doing a Golden Gate the main purpose is to connect the mainland to the island and ease the worsening traffic in Penang.
May be if we want to build such kind of bridge then the next RMK10 we dont have any projects more.no money

but as technology improves, it is possible, eh? but you are right, the main important thing is to reduce congestion at the present bridge...

It has noting to do with technology.If you want to build a suspension bridge the main span have to be long.In this case if you want to build a 23km span which you may have to build tall massive towers and use high performance cable which look ridiculous.But then you can build multiple span but still there will be several towers.Not good for the gov but will do for the contractors.But don't worry the gov will find the best compromise between looks,engineering and budget.

But don't worry the gov will find the best compromise between looks,engineering and budget.

thats wat we're hopin for..

Sad to see government start to give excuse on the budget to improve public transport system. They start stating all the money saved by increasing the fuel price is fully gone, due to the recent rapid increase of raw oil price, blar, blar.... I am worried about this 9MP success rate, and my long waited 2nd bridge in Batu Maung will be a goner... :bash:

^^ i was saddened by the news as well. Our govt's excuse is totally rubbish! :ohno:

The current bridge widening project, STARTED? STOPPED? Anyone has any answer/update? Slow or can even said no progress is seen. Our government is still so bad in term of keeping/cashing their commitment. No integrity at all.

^^ wow.. r u guys sayin that the second bridge is.. :uh:

Quite blur here!

Quite blur here!

does that mean the projects.. gone!?

May 11, 2006 02:18 AM
Second Penang Bridge To Be Built 'Soon As Possible'

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The second Penang bridge will be built as soon as possible, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi.

He said the bridge was identified as a "high impact project" under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) that needed to be implemented quickly.

"Once we have identified the need and its financial viability, we will implement it as soon as possible," he said in the "60 Minutes With The Minister" programme aired by RTM1 tonight.

The programme was hosted by Bernama chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini.

The second bridge was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he presented the 9MP in the Dewan Rakyat on March 31.

Estimated to cost RM2.7 billion, the 24km bridge will connect Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai with Batu Maung on the island.

It was originally approved and announced in 2003 aimed at overcoming the congestion on the Penang Bridge linking Prai on the mainland with Gelugur which was built 21 years ago.

Effendi, who is in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, said a "post-mortem" had been carried out to identify the causes of failure of some projects under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

"Among the causes was the wrong choice of contractor. The information gathered from the post-mortem is being used to improve our planning to avoid a repeat of the mistakes in future," he said.

On the Sarawak state election, Effendi, who is a vice president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) which is the bedrock of the Sarawak Barisan Nasional, said the BN was confident of a clean sweep of the 71 seats.

He said the people in the state had seen and benefited from the development brought by the BN government.

"Because of that, the BN has won big in every state election. I have been told they expect to take all 71 seats... they are confident," he said.

The state BN won two seats unopposed on nomination day yesterday. Polling is on May 20.

-- BERNAMA

Good! Gov should implement the Penang 2nd link as soon as possible since public and Penangites have been promised by gov before the last election campaign. If not, BN will lose a lots of votes for future election...

But the question is currently we are under Badawi, and now the federal goverment is lack of money too.

But the question is currently we are under Badawi, and now the federal goverment is lack of money too.

They can easily privatize it i will find it hard to believe that no bidders are interested i'm sure some bidder were happy to built it five years ago. It has nothing to do with lack of money. it is politics eg what benefits the govt are getting from the bidders etc

Second Penang bridge will help fast-track Bandar Cassia project

By Marina Emmanuel
marinae@nstp.com.my


May 17 2006


THE priority accorded by the Federal Government to the second Penang bridge will enable the Penang Development Corp (PDC) to fast-track the development of its third township — Bandar Cassia — in Batu Kawan on the mainland.
PDC’s acting general manager Rosli Jaafar said the development of Bandar Cassia, which was meant to take 20-30 years, will now be shortened to 15-20 years.


“The Second Bridge will enable us to develop Batu Kawan even faster and we are intent in setting a new benchmark for new development potentials of townships,” he told a media briefing in Bayan Baru, Penang.


A RM20 million road will take off as a start, Rosli said, adding that it would take between one-and-a-half and two years for the six-lane 5 kilometre road to be completed.


Bandar Cassia sits on 2,686ha of land and PDC’s property arm PDC Properties Sdn Bhd has been tasked with building and marketing its properties.


PDC’s two other satellite townships are Bayan Baru on the island and Seberang Jaya on the mainland.


Rosli said PDC has already invested RM200 million in Bandar Cassia. This includes land acquisition to facilitate traffic dispersal for the Second Bridge, along with a RM15.8 million eco-tourism project at Batu Musang at Bandar Cassia.


Other projects on the drawing board include:


# A bridge connecting Bandar Cassia with Cangkat/Jawi,


# Mangrove, butterfly, bird and water theme parks, and


# Road widening from Bandar Cassia to Bukit Tambun.


Meanwhile, PDC Properties Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Osman Kallahan said about 45 per cent of Bandar Cassia’s 30,000 housing units would comprise affordable housing.


The second bridge was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he presented the Ninth Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on March 31.


Estimated to cost RM2.7 billion, the 24km bridge will connect Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai with Batu Maung on the island.

The current bridge widening project, STARTED? STOPPED? Anyone has any answer/update? Slow or can even said no progress is seen. Our government is still so bad in term of keeping/cashing their commitment. No integrity at all.

I meant the current bridge this time. :wave:

Second Penang Bridge could cost up to RM3b (Updated)
By Tamimi Omar

UEM Builders Bhd, which is hoping to clinch the second Penang Bridge project, estimates that the construction cost will be between RM2.8 billion and RM3 billion, depending on the design.

Its deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said UEM Builders had sent a letter of interest to the government to build the 24km long bridge.

The first Penang Bridge, completed in 1985, measures 13km in length and cost RM800 million then.

“We have built bridges before and today we have that advantage to be considered by the government for that project,” he told reporters after UEM Builders' AGM in Kuala Lumpur on May 25.

UEM Builders’ current order book is RM3 billion and could last it up to three years.

Ahmad Pardas was confident that the government would open the tender to build the second Penang Bridge soon, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wanted the projects announced on the 9th Malaysian Plan to be done sooner rather than later.

He said UEM Builders was also interested in tendering for the Penang LRT system if and when the government decided to proceed with it.

On the RM260 million write-off UEM Builders made last year on its Dubai projects, Ahmad Pardas said the company would take legal action against the Qatar government to recover about RM250 million for extra cost incurred.

"We are pretty confident that we will get some of these money back," he said.

He said UEM Builders would try negotiating with the Qatar government before taking any legal action and said the extra costs include claims of high inflation and delays in delivery of materials.

“We have allocated funds for inflation, but our estimate was inflation would rise between 4% and 5% but not 15%. We also had trouble with getting materials to the worksite, as there were too many ships at port,” Ahmad Pardas said.

He said UEM Builders still had unfinished projects there, such as the Dubai-Salwa highway, which was expected to be completed by April next year.

Ahmad Pardas said overseas contribution would decline this year as most of the projects are nearly done.

Asked if UEM Would look for other projects overseas, he said: “We are looking around. We are very selective on what projects we take as the volatile situation in the world.”

UEM Builders keen on Penang bridge project
Friday, May 26, 2006
TheStar


KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Builders Bhd is keen to build the second Penang bridge and has submitted a letter of interest to the government expressing the company's desire to be considered for the job, deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said.

He said the company wanted to be considered for the 24km bridge linking Batu Maung on the island with Batu Kawan on the mainland. UEM Builders has estimated the bridge to cost between RM2.8bil and RM3bil, although Ahmad Pardas said the cost would depend on its design.

''We have the advantage since we have previously built bridges. We have not been told if the project is open for tenders yet, but we submitted a letter of interest to the government a month ago for consideration,'' he told reporters after the company AGM yesterday.

As for the other projects in Penang announced under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Ahmad Pardas said UEM Builders had no interest in the Penang Outer Ring Road but was keen on the monorail project.

On its bid for overseas projects, managing director Ridza Abdoh Salleh said the company was constantly on the lookout but would be more selective due to the volatility in raw material prices.

Ahmad Pardas said the company's current order book of RM3bil should last up to three years, but he did not disclose the projects that the company is bidding for.

On the company's net loss of RM259.3mil in the year ended Dec 31, 2005, which was mainly attributed to its construction contracts in Qatar, Ahmad Pardas said UEM Builders had submitted claims worth RM250mil to the Qatar government to recoup the losses.

''We are confident of getting back some of the money. In any project, you allow for a reasonable inflation of between 5% and 6%.

''However, when it goes up to 15% or 20% that is abnormal. Congestion at the port also delayed our getting materials to the worksite,'' he added.

Currently, the ratio of domestic projects to overseas projects stands at 80:20.

Ahmad Pardas said as most of the company's overseas projects were either completed or nearing completion, he expected the overseas contribution to revenue to be lower this year.

He said the company, which turned around in its first quarter ended March 31 with a net profit of RM41.4mil, was confident of meeting its financial targets this year.

The current bridge widening project, STARTED? STOPPED? Anyone has any answer/update? Slow or can even said no progress is seen. Our government is still so bad in term of keeping/cashing their commitment. No integrity at all.

the widening has been carried out beginning of this year...u can c they r doing something near the toll :)

the widening has been carried out beginning of this year...u can c they r doing something near the toll :)

The 1st (current bridge) widening project progress is very very very slow. Whe r they supposed to complete the widening project? By the way, anyone has the proposed 2nd bridge location zoomed down to batu maung area & the artist impression bridge structure? :sleepy: :sleepy:

^^ there are no details on the 2nd bridge yet. it is still under planning

Second bridge ready by 2011
Wednesday September 6, 2006
TheStar


PENANG: Construction of the planned 22.5km second Penang bridge linking Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland is expected to begin in early 2008.

Works Ministry road planning director Md Amir Kassim said it was due to be opened to traffic by early 2011.

“The bridge will span 15km across the Southern Channel, with a 1.5km 'directional ramp' at the Bayan Lepas coastal highway and 6km of 'approach road' at Batu Kawan.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/9/6/nation/n_p3psslink.jpg





“Each side of the bridge carriageway, where a speed limit of 80km/hr will be imposed, will be 14.4m wide,” he told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during a site inspection at Batu Maung here yesterday.

He added that a total of RM419.5mil would be used to upgrade roads in the vicinity of the second bridge on the island.

Earlier, the Prime Minister opened a new RM29.8mil bridge across Sungai Muda, which connects Penaga in Seberang Perai and Kota Kuala Muda in Kedah.

In his speech, Abdullah reminded contractors that delays in projects or problems that caused these projects to be abandoned would anger the people.

Commending the Public Works Department and contractor Lejadi Infra Sdn Bhd for completing the Sungai Muda Bridge ahead of schedule, Abdullah said:

“This is what I want from contractors. They must be fast. After finishing a contract, they can start working on another contract.”

Speaking at another function, the prime minister said contractors proposing infrastructure projects should think and plan creatively to reduce the cost to the Government.

He singled out the toll-free RM200mil Jelutong Expressway (JE) on the island as an example for other contractors to follow.

“I must thank IJM CEO (Datuk) Krishnan Tan for building a good road that did not incur cost to the Government nor any toll payment, but which has benefited the people,” he said when opening the expressway.

Abdullah said once the second Penang bridge was built, the expressway would become a major passage for the movement of goods to Penang ports and the international airport, thus bringing prosperity to Penang and the Northern Corridor.

Addressing an Umno gathering, Abdullah said after George Town, Jelutong, Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, the wave of growth on the island would hit Balik Pulau.

“I want Balik Pulau to be the next area of growth in the northern region, with its proximity to Tanjung Penaga,” the prime minister said when opening the new Umno Tanjong premises in Lebuh Bishop here.

He advised Malay-based organisations and agencies to shed outdated approaches and change their ways to suit current needs and demands.

there will be an island between the bridge...driver or tourist can stop by to take some rest..or enjoy the scenery;)

there will be an island between the bridge...driver or tourist can stop by to take some rest..or enjoy the scenery;)

Wow. I do not know that!!!

...and we are expecting a girder bridge?? i have a strong feeling it will be one...

More roads to be upgraded
Saturday September 9, 2006
BY ONG YEE TING
TheStar


MORE roads will be upgraded in the South-West district following the building of the Penang Second Bridge connec-ting Batu Maung and Seberang Prai.

Balik Pulau MP Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said he had applied for a special allocation after a discussion with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abd-ullah Ahmad Badawi.

“During his recent visit to Penang, Abdullah suggested that we upgrade the approach roads to the bridge,” he said.

He said the Government was now upgrading roads linking Pekan Gen-ting to Teluk Kumbar which cost RM56mil.

“We need another RM200mil to upgrade roads linking Bayan Lepas to Teluk Bahang,” he added.

“Other roads like the Coastal Highway and Jalan Batu Maung need to be upgraded too,” he said after at-tending the Sepetang Mayang Ber-sama Pemimpin Masyarakat yesterday.

Dr Hilmi suggested that the Fede-ral Government acquire land near the Batu Maung end of the second bridge to build affordable houses.

“Land there is already expensive but the value may shoot up further once the second bridge is completed,” he said.

He said houses built by the private developers would be expensive and beyond the reach of the low-medium income group.

Dr Hilmi, who is also Finance Mi-nistry parliamentary secretary, said the Federal Government had appro-ved a RM50mil soft loan for the state government to improve the public transportation system.

On the recent Balik Pulau Umno Youth’s protest against Chief Minis-ter Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Dr Hilmi said his apology over the matter did not mean he was not concerned over the welfare of the Malays.

“I apologised as it was rude of our members to do so,'' he said. He added he would talk to the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.

“They should use a better channel to voice their opinions and solve things internally through meetings and discussions,” he said.

hi, i'm new. i'm curious with all these projects,malls,housing/condos...can the penang economy sustain or is it viable as the factories/jobs are getting less.will there be a bubble burst in the property value?thanks

Second link groundbreaking ceremony at Batu Kawan
Saturday October 28, 2006
TheStar


PENANG: The groundbreaking ceremony of the RM2.6bil second Penang bridge will be held at Batu Kawan on the mainland, state Local Government, Traffic Management, Information and Community Relations Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would perform the Nov 11 ceremony.

He said several mega projects here, including the 24km second bridge, monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) which involved about RM12bil, would trigger a boom in the state’s construction industry in the next five years.

“Developers and and those involved in the construction industry can expect better times but they must strive to remain competitive.

“With prices of building materials increasing, there is a need for local contractors to cut labour cost by looking into innovative machinery as an alternative,” he said on Friday after launching the Penang Buildex 2006 Expo at the Penang International Sports Arena.

Also present were state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lau Chiek Tuan and Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Datuk Khor Teng Tong.

Expo organising chairman Lim Hun Swee said the many development projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan would rejuvenate the construction in-dustry.

Penang Buildex 2006 Expo which ends tomorrow is jointly organised by the state, the PCCC and the Penang Master Builders and Building Materials Dealers Association.

Kerja jambatan kedua P. Pinang bermula

Oleh SAHBULAH DARWI

NIBONG TEBAL 1 Nov. – Kerja-kerja awal pembinaan jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang bermula hari ini melibatkan kerja menambun tanah giat dilakukan oleh kontraktor di tapak pembinaan jambatan di Batu Kawan di sini.

Tinjauan Utusan Malaysia di tapak tersebut mendapati sejak pagi lagi beberapa pekerja kelihatan sibuk meratakan tanah menggunakan traktor sementara beberapa pekerja lain menurunkan batu kerikil daripada lori.

Seorang pekerja yang ditemui di tapak itu mengesahkan bahawa mereka terlibat dalam kerja-kerja meratakan tanah bagi tapak pembinaan jambatan tersebut.

Utusan Malaysia juga difahamkan bermula hari ini sebanyak 45 lori 10 tan akan digunakan untuk mengangkut tanah dan batu kerikil setiap hari dari sebuah kuari di Berapit, Bukit Mertajam ke tapak pembinaan itu.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan menyempurnakan upacara pecah tanah bagi menandakan bermulanya pembinaan jambatan kedua tersebut pada 12 November ini.

Projek jambatan bernilai RM2.7 bilion itu, yang menghubungkan Batu Kawan di Seberang Perai dengan Batu Maung di bahagian pulau diumumkan Perdana Menteri ketika membentangkan Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) Mac lepas bagi mengatasi masalah kesesakan lalu lintas di jambatan sedia ada.

Menurut pekerja di situ, jentera berat juga akan dibawa masuk ke tapak tersebut untuk kerja-kerja memasang cerucuk, sebaik saja kerja-kerja menambun tanah siap.

Sementara itu, beberapa penduduk sekitar Batu Kawan ketika ditemui teruja serta tidak sabar untuk melihat kerja-kerja pembinaan jambatan sepanjang 26 kilometer itu dimulakan.

Seorang peniaga runcit, Hisham Ibrahim, 30, berkata, penduduk kawasan tersebut berasa bertuah kerana pembinaan jambatan itu dijangka mempercepatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi di sekitar kawasan tersebut.

Menurutnya, ini kerana jambatan itu bukan sahaja akan memudahkan penduduk sekitar berulang alik dari Seberang Perai ke bahagian pulau, malah akan memajukan lagi daerah Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) dan Balik Pulau.

Rakannya, Shahrul Baharum, 26, pula yakin kawasan-kawasan terbabit yang sebelum ini agak ketinggalan akan menerima impak langsung daripada projek jambatan itu.

‘‘Jambatan sedia ada sudah sesak, maka jambatan kedua akan menjadikan pembangunan di Pulau Pinang lebih pesat dan seimbang,” katanya yang bekerja sebagai pemandu lori.

Seorang nelayan, Januri Hassan, 38, pula berpendapat, projek itu akan menguntungkan semua pihak termasuk golongan nelayan.

Beliau berharap pembinaan jambatan itu akan disiapkan mengikut jadual bagi memastikan hasil tangkapan nelayan tidak terjejas.

Dia yang merupakan anak jati Batu Kawan juga percaya jambatan itu akan meningkatkan lagi taraf sosio ekonomi masyarakat setempat terutama daripada segi sumber pendapatan apabila kawasan Batu Kawan menjadi tumpuan orang ramai.

Seorang suri rumah, Zurina Mohd. Isa, 31, pula tidak sabar untuk melihat kawasan kediamannya berubah menjadi bandar terancang dengan dilengkapi kemudahan moden ekoran projek jambatan berkenaan.

‘‘Jambatan ini akan menjadikan Batu Kawan lokasi tumpuan, lebih-lebih lagi bagi mereka yang datang dari selatan Semenanjung terutama dari Perak, kerana mereka tidak perlu lagi menggunakan jambatan sedia ada untuk ke bahagian pulau,” katanya.

Seorang peniaga, Mohamad Said, 37, pula berkata, projek jambatan itu merupakan hadiah istimewa Perdana Menteri kepada rakyat khususnya penduduk di kawasan itu dan negeri ini.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

wow....finally, the await 10 years second link project is started:)

i hope they complete it in time...ease the congested traffic on the penang bridge..and of course boom the economy of northen region;)

moderator can u pls change the title of this thread :)

with 2nd bridge,
traffic into penang will double.
yes..no jam on bridge.
but jam on the island!!!
they shld improve the infrastructure in penang first bfr building the bridge

^^ they already planning (dah lulus pun :) ). ( 2nd bridge + monorail + new buses system + porr ) all in 1 package.

yeah...pedang is correct....

Monorail and PORR will be carried out soon;)

IMO,soon penang metropolis can be match with SJER.

Land need for second bridge

davidtan@thestar.com.my

PENANG: The design for the land segment of the second Penang bridge in Batu Kawan on the mainland has been completed.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon who said this yesterday added: “Only one-third of the land required for it is on private land.

“I do not think that many houses would be affected when the land is acquired.”

Dr Koh said that the bridge would run on a 6km strip of land in Batu Kawan.

He said the Penang Deve-lopment Corporation (PDC) owned two-thirds of the land, former oil palm estate land.

Dr Koh was speaking to reporters after attending a Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Penang Development Cor-poration (PDC) premises here.

Dr Koh said that if the se-cond bridge were to be sited on the northern side of Pe-nang, more houses, located in the vicinity of Bagan Ajam and Bagan Jermal, would be affected.

“This is one of the reasons why we decided to locate the bridge in the southern part of the island.

“The other reason had to do with the objective of dispersing development to South Seberang Prai,” he said.

“Many vehicles coming from the mainland go to the southern part of the island where the airport is located.

“Thus it is more suitable to locate the second bridge at Batu Maung which is clo-ser to the airport,” he said.

Dr Koh said the design for the bridge on land had been completed.

“The design of the bridge for the sea segment will be completed soon.

“All the engineering de-tails and alignment have been finalised,” he said.

Dr Koh said that the bridge did not emphasise so much on aesthetics but on the fun-ctional aspects.

“However, there will be attractive rest stops on the bridge to beautify it,” he said.

NST 12 Nov 2006
Sharanjit Singh and Marina Emmanuel

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9086/penang2ndbridgeka0.jpg

BATU KAWAN: The RM3 billion Penang Second Bridge, one of three main projects identified in the 9th Malaysia Plan for Penang, will be open to traffic by January 2011.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he wanted everyone involved in the project to ensure there were no delays in its implementation.

"I want this bridge to be built on time. The UEM Group has also made this promise to me and I want it to be fulfilled.

"I don't want excuses such as sub contractors not delivering or anything else to delay the project," he said, adding efforts must also be made to ensure there were no cost over-runs.

Abdullah also directed Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to fast-track all approvals relating to the project.

He said this would prevent additional costs to the project.

"I am stressing this as we have planned the project meticulously and there should be no hiccups in its implementation," he added.

He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the 24km bridge which will link Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland.

The Batu Kawan-Batu Maung alignment will link motorists to the North-South Expressway on the mainland and the Bayan Lepas Highway on Penang island.

NST 12 Nov 2006
Sharanjit Singh and Marina Emmanuel

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9086/penang2ndbridgeka0.jpg

BATU KAWAN: The RM3 billion Penang Second Bridge, one of three main projects identified in the 9th Malaysia Plan for Penang, will be open to traffic by January 2011.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he wanted everyone involved in the project to ensure there were no delays in its implementation.

"I want this bridge to be built on time. The UEM Group has also made this promise to me and I want it to be fulfilled.

"I don't want excuses such as sub contractors not delivering or anything else to delay the project," he said, adding efforts must also be made to ensure there were no cost over-runs.

Abdullah also directed Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to fast-track all approvals relating to the project.

He said this would prevent additional costs to the project.

"I am stressing this as we have planned the project meticulously and there should be no hiccups in its implementation," he added.

He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the 24km bridge which will link Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland.

The Batu Kawan-Batu Maung alignment will link motorists to the North-South Expressway on the mainland and the Bayan Lepas Highway on Penang island.

wow, that design is very unique, doesn't look like normal bridge. cool

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1015/09lw3.jpg

http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/BHimages/13pm.jpghttp://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2006/1113/Utusan_Malaysia/Muka_Hadapan/mh_01_big.jpg

i think the viewing platforms look like testicles. i would prefer a suspended span. well, it is of course much better then the flyover design.

^^..it will have better skyline if the platform built at the current penang bridge..haha:D

^^ My concern is, only 1 level of carpark?? and looks like it will have massive jam near the balls sooner or later :D

LOL, the Penang balls.

Balls of the orient.

err rojak buah??

n i thot u people were referring to the slit in the middle there
*cepat cepat lari sembunyi blkg pokok khurma* :)

70% planning work on second Penang bridge done
Sunday April 22, 2007
TheStar


UEM Builders Berhad, the company that will undertake the RM3bil second Penang bridge project, has completed at least 70% of planning work.

Its managing director Ridza Abdoh Salleh said these included alignment, land survey, Environment Impact Assessment, dealing with land tenants affected by the project and seeking approval from other relevant authorities.

“It is a mammoth project and it cannot be done overnight. We started work in August last year when the project was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” he told reporters at the ‘adoption’ of two schools in Batu Kawan, Nibong Tebal, by the company yesterday.

Ridza said Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon would visit the site on Tuesday.

UEM Builders, a member of UEM Group, adopted SK Batu Kawan and SK Bukit Tambun under the Pintar programme, an initiative mooted by Khazanah Nasional for government-linked companies.

Ridza said the company would also adopt a third rural school – SK Pulau Aman and its 41 students.

^^ Hmmm..tht mean 30% more to go!!! Go go!!

Second Penang Bridge Project Making Good Progress
April 21, 2007 19:41 PM

NIBONG TEBAL, April 21 (Bernama) -- Preliminary works on the Second Penang Bridge project are going on smoothly and making encouraging progress, UEM Builders Berhad managing director Ridza Abdoh Salleh says.

As of today, over 50 per cent of the early planning including on the design, alignment, environmental impact assessment study, land and people affected, had been completed, he said.

However, several aspects still needed to be done before physical development of the 24km bridge linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai Selatan, could begin, he added.

"The government only awarded the contract to UEM last August. Surely, the bridge cannot be completed in just several months. This is a big project and involves many people, profit and loss and the environment.

"We have to be careful in our planning to avoid problems," he told reporters after launching UEM's smart programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Kawan here.

Ridza also said Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon would visit two sites that had been identified as the bridge's alignment on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Batu Kawan Huan Cheng Guan criticised the opposition for claiming that there had been no progress on the project since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi officiated the ground-breaking ceremony last November.

"The second bridge's construction needs detailed planning and cannot be done half-heartedly. Even the first Penang Bridge took years to be completed," he added.

On the smart programme, Ridza said the company had adopted Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Kawan and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tambun, and pledged RM1 million to the schools over three years to improve the pupils' academic achievement.

-- BERNAMA

New bridge requires 365km of piling!
Wednesday April 25, 2007
TheStar


PENANG: Piling for the entire 24km second Penang Bridge if stretched out will span the distance from here to Seremban.

UEM Builders chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said the whole piling would be about 365km long.

“The second link needs this much piling because it is a very long bridge, about twice that of the first bridge,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after checking on the progress of the second link in Batu Maung and Batu Kawan with Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

He said a factory to produce concrete seg-mental girders for the second link is being built by UEM near Pulau Burung in Batu Ka-wan.

UEM Builders are the concession holder and contractor for the RM3bil bridge.

Tajuddin said the bridge on the sea is 17km in length, while the portions of the bridge in Batu Kawan and Batu Maung measured 6km and 1km respectively.

Dr Koh said he would check on the pro-gress of the second link every four months.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Ab- dullah Badawi will be informed on the progress of the work on a regular basis,” he said.

Ya right... Dr Koh will always have ten thousand of excuses to cover his shinny ass if the progression is slow

to be honest, for a massive project like this required at least a year for planning, which include the soil testing, cost estimation, estimated duration as well as environmental management system. At oversea, the planning even required and delayed from 2 to 3 years.....

to be honest, for a massive project like this required at least a year for planning, which include the soil testing, cost estimation, estimated duration as well as environmental management system. At oversea, the planning even required and delayed from 2 to 3 years.....

Totally Agree.

But what the heck they going to carry out the ground breaking ceromony. Give hope to us only.:dunno:

ground breaking ceremony was done to tell some ignorant malaysians that ..."Hello Malaysian!!, we are starting this project and it's sure gonna take time. So don't expect this project to be done within a week. this is not jambatan kayu!!"

Only ignorant Malaysians will keep their mouth shut and assume everything is working well within the country.

We never assume all is well within a country and we are talking about engineering and construction of this bridge.Construction on such a massive proportion takes time.You wont want the bridge to be built in fast pace and then a lot of flaws on it after finished.Then ppl said again its the gov fault.At least after all the talks the second bridge is finally underway. And in my opinion the design is kind of tacky

I totally agree with you...

But I think most Penangnites are kinda frustrated with the state government for not aggressive enough. Everytime they are asked about the progression about some projects, the reply will ultimately be on the way... we are looking at it... planning...

But, it is true that good planning will only result in good outcome... but Penang government takes years to plan something but the outcome is always not 100% satisfactory...

That is true... we are really frustrated! This month you heard they say they make compensation to the residents, after six month they still giving the same excuses. Then keep on giving excuse as we all are 2 years old.

Look at Machap. They can re-tar the road in one week, create a memorial park in two week... repair all the street lamps in one week.......... so you know how efficient our government is.

I think the problem lies within Penang State Government...

I would suggest if the people working in the state Government can be more productive... I think the Central Government will give full support...

I rather blame my own state people than putting the blame on Central... to avoid people saying I am not patriotic enough

^^ I think, the fedgov is responsible for the planning and fund allocations but when it comes to implementation and construction, the state gov shd be heavily involved. I have to agree with you guys that Penang govt lacks the kind of energy that would keep its ppl excited. So is the Johor govt. Other projects dont seem to have that much delays in other states?

P/S: Questioning doesnt make one ignorant, it only makes one enlightened.

Lastresorter, well said!!!:banana:

P/S: Questioning doesnt make one ignorant, it only makes one enlightened.

only happen when the questions based on a deep studies and related sources. not by manipulating politicians....

well, besides planning, govs bodies, include the MPPP, State Gov and Fed gov are playing an important role to get the things done. They should cooperate with contractors by giving them priority appovements and also pressure them to finish the project on time. On the other hands, contractors has to fulfill their reponsibility by finishning the project on time. The more the project the delayed, the more WE are going to pay the cost.

I am not quite sure how penang gov get the things done, but bureaucracy is always the root of problems that caused the project been delayed.

For the notable example, PTT supposed to be finished in 8 years time. But due to the budget constrait and pressure from Fed Gov, the project had to be finished in 6 years time. Not only that, the tower is being top-up 2 weeks before the due date.

Well, who is the bastard, Gov or Contractor? You guess...

only happen when the questions based on a deep studies and related sources. not by manipulating politicians....

Ya... Malaysia always Boleh!

I do agree the Penang gov lacks the energy to carry out any projects in its constitution.Penang have a lot of potential to rivals any states in Malaysia.All its need is a kick at the back to keep it moving.:cheers: .Now cross our heart since its UEM Builders on the projects and this company have a good reputation anywhere.:banana: But still I don like the design.:ohno: Something like the Akashi bridge.hahahha

I mean I hope the Penang bridge design like Akashi Bridge although both of them is different design.By the way....which bridge is longer the Akashi or Penang second bridge.And I hope the wont stop the ferry service...its a symbol of Penang.

I dont think they are going to change the design, although most of the ppl dont quite like it. If they change the design, they hv to study the structure again, and we gotta wait for another 10 years...Anyway, they should hv held a competition before they came out this tacky design. I always think tat a competition will make a person produce better work ;)

and the state government play a big role in cooperate with the contractor and pressure them to finish the job like what johnsonooi has mentioned. Just take Jelutong Expressway as an example...this project is so so so duple triple slow, but when our PM has a visit at the construction site, and i remember he said y the project is being so slow, immediately, this project finish just another few months. from this we can c that the government must always give pressure on them.

Frankly... whatever the competition and design... there's always under table thing going on...

Not only in Malaysia but everywhere in the world... as long as the project can go smoothly and benefit the citizens

but at least the deisgn will be much better...cos no matter what kind of the techniques they use to win the competition, their project must at least almost same standard as the one who should be won, if not the ''wolf's tail'' will come out...hehehe:D

I mean I hope the Penang bridge design like Akashi Bridge although both of them is different design.By the way....which bridge is longer the Akashi or Penang second bridge.And I hope the wont stop the ferry service...its a symbol of Penang.


you really want penang to have akashi-like bridge? akashi-kaiyo bridge took 10 years to be built you know...

even this 2nd bridge's planning process a little bit '1-month late' pun...budak-budak ni dah bising-bising...blaming gahmen this and that...

you really want penang to have akashi-like bridge? akashi-kaiyo bridge took 10 years to be built you know...

even this 2nd bridge's planning process a little bit '1-month late' pun...budak-budak ni dah bising-bising...blaming gahmen this and that...

Malaysian government is the best!!! best in the world!!:banana:

you really want penang to have akashi-like bridge? akashi-kaiyo bridge took 10 years to be built you know...

even this 2nd bridge's planning process a little bit '1-month late' pun...budak-budak ni dah bising-bising...blaming gahmen this and that...

one month late?? it is more like 10 years late!

the government have been talking about the 2nd bridge for a very long time already, only when it is now under the 9th Malaysian Plan they start planning:ohno:

I mean I hope the Penang bridge design like Akashi Bridge although both of them is different design.By the way....which bridge is longer the Akashi or Penang second bridge.And I hope the wont stop the ferry service...its a symbol of Penang.

yeah, i would love a suspension or cable stayed span as well. i guess it is too expensive for the government?? i wonder if this current design will give enough height clearance for boats in the future?? the current design looks like testicles :lol:

the 2nd Penang bridge will be longer in terms of total length, while Akashi Kaikyo will remain to have the longest span in the world. (until some bridges in China takes over) ;)

one month late?? it is more like 10 years late!

the government have been talking about the 2nd bridge for a very long time already, only when it is now under the 9th Malaysian Plan they start planning:ohno:

federal government got no money left anymore since the 1997 crisis...all are poured into Mahathir's grand projects...

Malaysian government is the best!!! best in the world!!:banana:

nope, you are wrong!

singapore is the best in the world! so i suggest you pack your luggage and start to move there...breed there...and do whatever things which u think good for your generation there..:yes:

nope, you are wrong!

singapore is the best in the world! so i suggest you pack your luggage and start to move there...breed there...and do whatever things which u think good for your generation there..:yes:

ha ha...he is already there :lol:

ha ha...he is already there :lol:

so then...stop bashing my country!

nope, you are wrong!

singapore is the best in the world! so i suggest you pack your luggage and start to move there...breed there...and do whatever things which u think good for your generation there..:yes:

kalau org yg baik x kan ade masalah dgn jiran2 nye..

kalau org yg baik x kan ade masalah dgn jiran2 nye..

betul jugak

so then...stop bashing my country!

Hehehe... cheers... come on... we are all discussing the issues we have within our country... everyone has his/her own view...

why do you need to be so agitated... calm down...:lol:

kalau org yg baik x kan ade masalah dgn jiran2 nye..

macam pernah dgr ayat ni....

Hehehe... cheers... come on... we are all discussing the issues we have within our country... everyone has his/her own view...

why do you need to be so agitated... calm down...:lol:

i'm sorry lah if my words sound improper...

but u know..in malaysia, there is a trend where some groups of people...they are done nothing other than kasik hantam negara sendirik..and then compare to singapore....hantam lagi sekali, and then...again singapore got free credits...(especially DAP backbenchers)

don't get me wrong, i don't have any negative sentiment on singapore. even,my late grandfather and his family are singaporean...

Well Osh... I appreciate and respect you to love our country so much...

But, in the same time... sometimes we or rather I am a bit harsh when come to comparing our government to other countries' does not mean that we don't love our country...

Just because we do love our country... we want to point out something that is perhaps wrong... and hopefully we can make our country better...

To be honest... I am not a 100% fan of Singapore... but due to a lot of circumstances I stay in Singapore... and I think a lot of Malaysians stay in other country because of job opportunity and their reasons... that doesnt make us to not Love Malaysia... You know? I am very proud everytime when my colleagues and friends ask me about Malaysia and I am so happy to promote Malaysia to them...

we always welcome constructive critics on whatever our country do/did.....
people are waching us....especially our southern neighbor, and we know they look down on us.....

Hahaha....not only them. Some Malaysian thinks Singapore is better than their own backyard.Well...the island is a small area..when there is no more space to develop guess where thy will go to if not Malaysia.:cheers:

You can imagine that one day Singaporean will live in Malaysia and only go to works in island. Sound preposterous it may seems but with prices of property skyrocketing and high cost of living there is no other but to look to Malaysia.

nope, you are wrong!

singapore is the best in the world! so i suggest you pack your luggage and start to move there...breed there...and do whatever things which u think good for your generation there..:yes:

OMG... That's why brain drain occur all the time in Malaysia!!! :ohno:

Just because we do love our country... we want to point out something that is perhaps wrong... and hopefully we can make our country better...

and I think a lot of Malaysians stay in other country because of job opportunity and their reasons... that doesnt make us to not Love Malaysia...

I second that! ;)

OMG... That's why brain drain occur all the time in Malaysia!!! :ohno:

plz read the whole story...thank you

plz read the whole story...thank you

I had, you're welcomed :)

OMG... That's why brain drain occur all the time in Malaysia!!! :ohno:

1000 peoples...1000 brains...
so then why malaysia banned communist..?they have brain too....

1000 peoples...1000 brains...
so then why malaysia banned communist..?they have brain too....

What about these communists pulak?? :nuts:

u cannot get it meh?....penat lah to explain...

jom minum dulu :cheers:

Milo, minuman juara anda!!!:D

I belanja this time!! :D:cheers:

well....out of topic now, komunist...too far...lets go back to penang second link :banana:

I saw the proposed link at Batu Maung end had been fenced up for piling work to begin. Is this for real? Other than that, not much work has been seen from there.

That also because the election is near, "they" want our votes.

piling only will start year end

I saw the proposed link at Batu Maung end had been fenced up for piling work to begin. Is this for real? Other than that, not much work has been seen from there.

i believe those are only test piles for testing the soil etc. no actual construction work started yet

RM1.7bil loan from China for second Penang bridge
Wednesday July 11, 2007
By WONG CHUN WAI

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to secure a loan of more than RM1.7bil (US$500mil) from China for the construction of the much-awaited second Penang bridge – the largest for any single project given to a foreign country by China.

Sources said that a signing ceremony between the Exim Bank of China and Bank Pembangunan would be held this week on the loan.

It is expected to be witnessed by a minister from China and Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

It is learnt that the Chinese Government was willing to give this loan and favourable interest rates because of the close ties between Malaysia and China.

The Exim bank, or the Export-Import Bank of China, is a state-run bank that provides financing for export, overseas construction and investment projects and the only arm to issue low-interest loans. The bank is under the direct leadership of China’s State Council.

It has been reported that Penang’s RM2.7bil second bridge, which will link Batu Maung and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is set to bring spin-offs for the state, especially in the property and transportation sectors.

The 24km-long bridge, which will be the longest in South-East Asia, is likely to ease the congestion at the present 13.5km-long bridge, which is 21 years old.

The planned bridge would have a four-lane dual carriageway with two observation platforms at the central span, designed to resemble a pearl.

Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in early 2008, with the opening scheduled for 2011. It will have six expressways as part of the project.

The second bridge is among the number of projects under the Northern Corridor Economic Project to turn the state into a regional transportation hub, which includes the setting up of a low-cost carrier terminal at the Penang International Airport and the expansion of the Penang Port.

These projects, together with the network of roads through the Penang Outer Ring Road and the public transport upgrade, are essential elements that must precede the rollout of other projects in the region.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to unveil the massive development projects, from modern agricultural plans for Kedah and Perlis to human skills training for northern Perak, on July 30 and July 31 respectively.

Malaysia was the first Asean country to have formal ties with China.

It is learnt that during a closed-door meeting between Abdullah and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Naning, China, late last year, the Malaysian leader sounded out the possibility of securing a loan to build the Penang bridge.

“The Chinese government supported the idea and worked hard to accommodate the request for a substantial loan and at a very attractive interest rate,” the sources said.

United Engineering Malaysia (UEM) has been appointed to build, manage and operate the new crossing. Sources said that if they went into the market to raise the funds, they would have been charged interest rates of between 5% and 6% per annum. The interest rate for the loan from China is likely to be significantly lower.

At this week’s press conference to announce the loan agreement, there is a possibility that UEM could also sign a joint venture agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to build the second Penang bridge.

CHEC is one of the foremost builders of bridges in the world and has constructed some of the longest bridges in the world.

Simply translate to a chinese company being the main contractor with all local companies tumpang nama saja!!!

Fren, you think the UEM got technology to built bridge ah?
Built bridge is not built road or built a 60 storey buidling. Consider Extreme Engineering too.

July 13, 2007 11:22 AM

US$800 Million From Exim Bank Of China To Finance Construction Of Second Penang Bridge


PUTRAJAYA, July 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Friday secured a US$800 million (RM2.7 billion) loan facility from the Exim Bank of China, a move that paves the way for the construction of the second Penang bridge.

The loan amount is the largest given by China for a single project in foreign countries and reflects the close bilateral ties between Malaysia and China.

The term of the loan agreement which include an interest rate of three percent over 20 years is the most favourable offered to a foreign country.

The signing, between Exim Bank of China and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia, was witnessed by Second Finance Minister, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, China Commerce Minister Bo Xi Lai and Chief Minister of Penang Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

Today also saw another contract agreement signed between UEM Group Bhd and a JV consortium of China Harbour Engineering Company and UEM Construction.

The agreement is likely to kickstart construction activity, topography and hydrography surveys and soil investigations related to the project.

The 23-km long bridge, linking Batu Maung on Penang island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, is expected to be completed in 2011.

The second Penang bridge will be the longest crossing in Southeast Asia. The construction of the bridge will create positive economic spinoff namely the creation of about 2,000 jobs.

As Malaysia has a mature construction market, most of the construction material will be sourced or manufactured locally, a situation that will results in more business for downstream activities in the construction sector.

China Harbour is a Fortune 500 company which has a distinction of having built some of the world's longest and technologically-advanced bridges including the world's longest cable-stay bridge linking Suzhou and Nanpong, in China.

It has been involved in 21 projects in Malaysia since 1990s including the reclamation and shore protection work at Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu and reclamation work at West Port.

Ha ya that we know long time already!!UEM u want big project must let them tumpang nama and a cut with u know whatlah same old story
thats why its taking them forever to finish the widening of the north south highway project!!!Only here in malaysia tak tau bikin pun boleh dapat contract ma janji mau kenal olang ma!He He

Ha ya that we know long time already!!UEM u want big project must let them tumpang nama and a cut with u know whatlah same old story
thats why its taking them forever to finish the widening of the north south highway project!!!Only here in malaysia tak tau bikin pun boleh dapat contract ma janji mau kenal olang ma!He He

:lol: you are damn TRUE.
That is also why the project need so huge amount of money to execute.
Haha....

CHEC is a full service provider with five core business areas: Marine Engineering; Dredging and Reclamation; Road and Bridge; Port Machinery and Survey and Design. Within each of these areas the company has built up an efficient operational and managerial network for the execution of major international projects. Notable examples of CHEC’s achievements include: the 300,000DWT Dry Dock in Malta; the Friendship Port in Mauritania; Macao international Airport Platform; Gwadar Deep Water Port in Pakistan; Tidal Link Project in Pakistan; OP-V Liquid Products Marine Terminal in Karachi; Chittagong Port Project in Bangladesh; Friendship Bridge in Macao; Rama VIII Bridge in Thailand; Chek Lap Kok Airport platform in Hong Kong; Kwai Chung Container Terminal 9 in Hong Kong; Ma An Shan T7 Expressway in Hong Kong; K.K Reclamation Works in Flota, Columbia; Calabar Channel Dredging Project in Nigeria and the Sudan

July 13, 2007 14:58 PM

Penang Bridge Project To Boost Growth In Northern Corridor

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Penang Second Crossing Bridge project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan will be a major catalyst for economic growth and investment in the Northern Corridor, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said Friday.

Upon completion, the bridge will enhance the capacity for growth in Penang and reinforce the island's position as a logistics hub for the northern region, Nor Mohamed said.

"The bridge will augment connectivity to the island, particularly to the airport and industrial area around Batu Maung and in addition, open up a corridor of economic activity in and around Batu Kawan," he said after witnessing a signing ceremony between Exim Bank of China, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia and the Malaysian government here.

Also present were China's Commerce Minister Bo Xi Lai and Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

Nor Mohamed said the government was committed to see the project implemented on a fast track basis with the bridge opened for use in 2011.

At the same event, the minister also witnessed another agreement signed between JV Consortium of China Harbour Engineering Company and UEM Construction.

The agreement is expected to kickstart construction activity, topography and hydrography surveys, and soil investigations on the 23-kilometre long bridge, the longest crossing in Southeast Asia.

Nor Mohamed said the agreements signed today marked a major milestone in advancing the implementation of the Penang Second Crossing project.

"We welcome China's participation in this project as it is beneficial to Malaysia," he said.

The general loan agreement involves a sum of up to US$800 million with a tenure of 20 years and a preferential interest rate of three percent per annum.

Nor Mohamed said the contract agreement signed today conditionally awarded construction of the bridge to the joint venture between China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and UEM Construction.

He said CHEC's participation in the joint venture and bridge design would enhance implementation of the project, given the company's global experiences, particularly in having built bridges longer the Penang Second Crossing.

As China is also known for its cost competitiveness, Nor Mohamed said this will ensure value for money for the bridge.

He said the Chinese are also committed towards sharing their knowledge through transfer of technology and making full use of Malaysian sub-contractors, consultants and material suppliers.

At a press conference later, Koh said the people of Penang and those who in the Northern Corridor, namely Perak, Perlis and Kedah, were happy with the bridge project, which was also a symbol of friendship between Malaysia and China.

"So on behalf of the people and state government, I would like to express my gratitude to the federal government and China's government for agreeing on this very significant project of cooperation that will be a tremendous boost to the economic development of Penang and the Northern Corridor as a whole," he said.

i believe they give this project to China as a ganti for the double track project....

doesnt matter lah, as long as they build it. UEM may not be able to build the bridge alone, but i'm sure they will learn alot about bridge building during the construction...

they can choose companies from Japan or South Korea but they choose China because of favorable interest payment and also because they build it cheaper...

Penang Bridge loan deal signed
Saturday July 14, 2007
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
TheStar


http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/7/14/nation/n_2bridge.jpg

The future: An artist’s impression of how the second Penang Bridge
will look like after it is completed in November 2011.


PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and China inked a RM2.7bil (US$800mil) loan agreement, paving the way for the construction of the second Penang Bridge.

The loan facility is the largest given by China for a single project in a foreign country so far.

The terms of the loan agreement, which include an interest rate of 3% per annum over 20 years, is the most favourable offered to a foreign country.

With construction scheduled to begin in November and completion by 2011, the 23km-bridge – of which 17km will be over water – will be the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said many countries were hoping to “build bridges” (relationships) with China.

“With this project, we are literally building a bridge with China,” he said during a press conference after witnessing the signing of the general loan agreement.

The parties to the agreement were 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 said 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.

Nor Mohamed said the agreements signed were a major milestone in advancing the implementation of the second bridge for Penang, adding that the favourable interest rate would help reduce the cost of the bridge.

On China-Malaysia relations, Nor Mohamed said being a small country, Malaysia could not expect to directly compete in the same areas as China but should instead find a competitive niche.

He said relations between Malaysia, China and India were not something new and dated back 600 years ago when the two were world economic powers.







http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/7/14/nation/n_3nor.jpg

Agreement reached: (From left) Koh, Nor Mohamed, Bo and China’s
ambassador Cheng Yonghua witnessing the exchanging of documents
between Treasury secretary-general Datuk Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah
and Exim Bank deputy general manager Xin Bin after the signing ceremony in
Putrajaya on Friday.






“What is happening now is similar to what happened hundreds of years ago. Our relationship goes back 600 years ago,” he said.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xi Lai, who witnessed the signing of the agreements, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had “pushed for the project.”

He expressed confidence that Malaysia would benefit from CHEC’s participation in the project.

Bo said that if formalities and procedures were completed by early next month and construction began by November, the project could be completed by Nov 1, 2010.

Also present at the signing was Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

^^ the design looks promising! and ofcoz the news sounds promising too! :okay:

dunia realiti!

thats a cool bridge! :okay:

Welcome to the reality of things to come!!The minute its a loan by a chinese bank for sure its going to be a chinese contractor doing it just like how the japanese did it in the 80s with all the turnkey projects.Ya lah what the hack 3% for 20 years sound like a good deal!The chinese got to much money to loan the world these days as long as this project jalan its a goodlah but i think ah the monorel project more important than this second linklah

....but i think ah the monorel project more important than this second linklah

how old are you?

The topic is the penang second link not my age thank you!!

....but i think ah the monorel project more important than this second linklah

I think that the second link is more important than the monorail but honestly both are equally important.

Without Penang second link, traffics in Penang is completely paralyzed if any accident happens on the current bridge. On average, there are 100,000 vehicles crossing the bridge daily. It's one of the busiest highway in Malaysia.
Traffic jam is a daily routine for those who crosses the channel daily to work.

Monorail on the other hand serves the purpose of alleviating the traffic congestion in the island as Penang Island is small and densly populated.

Penang second link affects traffic flow and logistic which in turn affects the economy of Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). So I think that second link is the key component in NCER.

Fair enough!!!I will never know any better because have not personally got stuck on the bridge at peak of the traffic jam!!I have always wondered how bad is it??

Too bad...KL still have many highways to choose if one of the highway is congested but in Penang, there's only one highway to cross the channel. Ferry service cant affort to carry many vehicles at one time.

I've been caught in traffic jam on Penang Bridge few times, imagine the whole stretch of Penang Bridge above the sea which is about 8km was congested, still haven't considered the traffic congestion on the toll plaza, North-South Highway and Sg. Nibong Highway. The crawl would easily exceed 10km.
It's a nightmare for Penangites! :mad:

Jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang pemangkin ekonomi NCER

Oleh Mustafa Kamal Basri

Jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang yang akan dimulakan pembinaannya pada bila-bila masa, apabila siap kelak akan menjadi pemangkin utama kepada pembangunan ekonomi dan pelaburan bagi Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara (NCER).

Jambatan itu, yang akan menyambungkan Batu Kawan di Seberang Perai dan Batu Maung di bahagian pulau, apabila siap juga pasti akan menjadi kebanggaan seluruh rakyat Malaysia kerana ia akan menjadi jambatan terpanjang di Asia Tenggara dan antara 10 terpanjang di dunia.

Menteri Kewangan Kedua Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop berkata, jambatan itu yang dijangka mula beroperasi pada 2011 bakal menjadi pelengkap kepada kemudahan infrastruktur di Pulau Pinang, yang dirancang menjadi hab lojistik, bukan sahaja bagi wilayah NCER, tetapi juga hab lojistik serantau, terutama bagi kawasan Pertumbuhan Segi Tiga Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand (IMT-GT).

Jambatan itu akan meningkatkan hubungan ke pulau, terutama ke lapangan terbang dan kawasan perindustrian di sekitar Batu Maung selain membuka koridor aktiviti ekonomi di Batu Kawan dan kawasan sekitarnya, katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian baru-baru ini, selepas menyaksikan majlis menandatangani perjanjian antara Exim Bank of China, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia dan Kerajaan Malaysia, di Putrajaya.

Perjanjian itu melibatkan pinjaman am berjumlah AS$800 juta kepada Malaysia bagi tempoh 20 tahun, dengan kadar faedah utama tiga peratus setahun bagi membina jambatan tersebut.

Nor Mohamed berkata, kerajaan komited untuk melihat projek itu dilaksanakan secara pantas bagi membolehkan jambatan itu dibuka pada 2011.

Beliau berkata, jambatan itu dirancang sebegitu rupa bukan sahaja untuk menyediakan kemudahan pengangkutan tambahan bagi penduduk Pulau Pinang, tetapi juga sebagai pintu keluar-masuk bagi pelancong dan akses penting pengangkutan bagi produk dan barangan pertanian serta pembuatan dari Pulau Pinang dan juga negeri-negeri utara Semenanjung seperti utara Perak, Kedah dan Perlis yang diletakkan di bawah wilayah NCER.

Ini berikutan perkhidmatan feri dan jambatan Pulau Pinang yang sedia ada sepanjang 13.5 kilometer yang dibina oleh syarikat Korea - Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd dan United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) dan dibuka pada 1985 tidak dapat lagi menampung keperluan pengangkutan di Pulau Pinang.

Projek jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang itu, apabila siap kelak juga akan mempercepatkan dan memudahkan pengangkutan produk dan barangan pertanian serta pembuatan dari wilayah NCER ke Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Bayan Lepas dan Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang untuk dieksport.

UEM Construction yang merupakan sebuah syarikat tempatan terkemuka dalam industri pembinaan lebuh raya di negara ini telah diberi konsesi bagi membina jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang itu yang berharga kira-kira RM3 bilion.

UEM Construction akan bekerjasama dengan China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (China Harbour) dari China untuk melaksanakan pembinaan jambatan tersebut.

Sehubungan itu, jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang itu telah dirancang dengan teliti dan akan dilaksanakan secepat mungkin supaya ia dapat memenuhi peranannya yang dianggap penting itu dalam konteks pembangunan NCER.

Menurut Jurutera Kanan China Harbour, Ma Jie, reka bentuk jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang itu juga dibuat dengan begitu teliti supaya ia dapat bertahan selama 100 tahun dan mampu berdepan dengan gempa bumi berukuran 7 skala Ritcher.

Beliau berkata, bagi memastikan jambatan itu mempunyai kualiti yang tinggi, China Harbour akan menghantar sepasukan jurutera yang berkemahiran tinggi dan mempunyai pengalaman membina jambatan-jambatan gergasi di China.

‘‘Kami mahu memastikan jambatan itu apabila siap kelak bukan sahaja mempunyai kualiti yang tinggi tetapi juga dapat disiapkan dalam tempoh yang cepat bagi membolehkan ia melaksanakan peranannya dalam pembangunan Malaysia.

Beliau berkata, China Harbour memberi keutamaan kepada projek jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang kerana kejayaan projek itu juga akan membantu menaikkan imej syarikat tersebut di mata dunia.

‘‘ Selain itu, keutamaan kepada projek itu (jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang) adalah kerana kerajaan China menganggap hubungan Malaysia-China yang telah terjalin sejak zaman kerajaan Melayu Melaka lagi sehingga sekarang sebagai penting’’ katanya.

Ma Jie berkata, walaupun reka bentuk jambatan berkenaan belum lagi diputuskan oleh kerajaan Malaysia, namun beliau percaya jambatan itu akan dibina menggunakan seni bina Islam.

Too bad...KL still have many highways to choose if one of the highway is congested but in Penang, there's only one highway to cross the channel. Ferry service cant affort to carry many vehicles at one time.

I've been caught in traffic jam on Penang Bridge few times, imagine the whole stretch of Penang Bridge above the sea which is about 8km was congested, still haven't considered the traffic congestion on the toll plaza, North-South Highway and Sg. Nibong Highway. The crawl would easily exceed 10km.
It's a nightmare for Penangites! :mad:

What you say is so true.
My fren working in Intel and staying in Butterworth will choose the cross the bridge at 6:30am instead of after 7am.... cause by that time, the jammed started.

Massive Traffic Jam at Penang Bridge Toll Plaza

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/3.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/2.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1.jpg

Nightmare to all car drivers! Penang Second Bridge is desperately needed...

What happened actually?

Penang Bridge
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1-2.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1-3.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/3-1.jpg

Bayan Lepas
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/2-2.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/2-3.jpg

Seberang Jaya
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/2-1.jpg

Juru
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1-1.jpg

i was caught in the jammed too.

I feel like Penang bridge is busier than the Singapore-JB causeway...

^^ wah!! jammed up all the way to juru?? that's like over 30km!!! what happened??

2nd Penang bridge pile testing works to start soon
By Marina Emmanuel
October 22 2007


UEM Construction's main contractor China Harbour Engineering, which has given its word to deliver the 22.5km bridge by the end of 2010, has almost completed survey and soil investigations

CHINA Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) - the main contractor of the second Penang bridge - is set to begin pile testing works for the iconic bridge on November 5.

The Beijing-based company, which has almost completed survey and soil investigations at the project site in Penang, is looking at trial pile testing especially at the main span of the new bridge, CHEC president Sun Ziyu said.

"This project is deemed high-priority for us owing to the pressure exerted on CHEC by the China government to execute it on time and we have given our word that we will deliver by the end of 2010.

"We are also mindful of the traffic congestion caused on the first Penang bridge currently and the urgency in completing the second crossing since it is one of the projects under the Northern Corridor Economic Region," he told the Business Times.

Sun was in Penang over the weekend to personally inspect progress being made on the project. Also present was CHEC's second Penang bridge project management director Chang Yunbo.

The 22.5km second Penang bridge (of which 17km will be on water) linking Penang island and Seberang Prai after the existing Penang Bridge, is the largest overseas project for CHEC in terms of value.

Upon completion by 2011, the bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, is set to be the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

The state-owned CHEC which is a Fortune 500 company, has a global footprint via 15 companies and 20 overseas resident offices it operates.

The company is a unit of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, China's top port builder.

China is providing Malaysia with a US$800 million (RM2.7 billion) loan, the largest amount given by China for a single project in a foreign country.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has named CHEC as its main contractor for the bridge project and a consortium, named CHEC-UEMC, has been formed for this joint venture where CHEC holds a 51 per cent stake and the remaining 49 per cent is held by UEM.

CHEC has already set up a site office in Penang where a total of 120 people, 45 of whom are Malaysian, have been employed for the bridge project.

Sun said CHEC had spent US$10 million (RM34 million) on building the bridge since mid-2005.

"We are currently identifying local suppliers for materials to use for the marine bridge, and are comparing the local unit price for these materials with China imports," he added.

Chang said the conceptual design and design brief for the marine bridge portion had been completed.

"We have submitted these to UEM for approval by the Malaysian government," he added.

Dredging for new bridge to start soon
Tuesday November 6, 2007
By CHRISTINA CHIN


PENANG: Dredging work for the Second Penang Bridge will com-mence by the end of this month, said UEM Builders managing director Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh.

He said the company was currently focusing on building its casting yard in Batu Kawan.

“Construction work on the project started the day Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended the groundbreaking ceremony in November last year.

“You may not see actual physical work being done on the site now but we are working hard.

“The fabrication equipment is be-ing manufactured in Shah Alam, Ipoh and Italy. This is crucial because without a casting yard and the ne-cessary equipment, you cannot build the bridge,” he said, adding that work on the second link was “ahead of schedule”.

However, he said the design for the bridge would only be finalised by 2009.

“Designing is an ongoing process. We are doing several things at one go. This is the fast-track system,” he told reporters at a Hari Raya dinner and media briefing session at Tra-ders Hotel last night.

He also said the company had made allocations for the rising cost of building materials.

Asked to comment on who would head the steering committee for the project, Ridza said he had not been officially informed.

“But from what I understand, (former Public Works Department director-general) Tan Sri Zaini Omar will be heading it.

“The committee was set up by the government to expedite the project. This is a normal procedure,” he said.

Work on second Penang Bridge begins


KUALA LUMPUR, MON:

Work on the 24-kilometre second Penang bridge has begun with the completion of much of the preparatory work.

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) said that soil investigation work which started in August would be finished this month while topography surveys were completed in September.
The underwater survey was completed a month later, CHEC said in a statement here today.
CHEM said that test piling began last month and that it has already completed three clusters of seven piles each.
The second bridge, which would help reduce the traffic jam, would be the longest bridge in Southeast Asia when completed by January 2011.
CHEM and UEM are jointly constructing the bridge that would link Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai to Batu Maung on the island.
UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has formed a consortium to build the bridge, with CHEC holding 51 percent equity and UEM the remaining stake.

Work on Penang Second Bridge begins
Tuesday December 11, 2007
TheStar

PETALING JAYA: Actual construction work on the RM3bil Penang Second Bridge has started after completion of initial works.

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) said in a statement that soil investigation work would end this month while topography surveys and underwater works were completed in September and October respectively.

In a statement, the company said test piling began last month and to date, it had completed three clusters of seven piles each.

CHEC and a subsidiary of United Engineers Malaysia (UEM), UEM Construction Sdn Bhd, is jointly constructing the 24km bridge between Batu Kawan on the mainland Penang and Batu Maung on the island.

Once finished, the Second Bridge would help decrease and ease traffic clogging on the Penang Bridge.

Quoting a spokesman, the statement said CHEC had brought in China’s premier engineering surveyors, CCCC Third Harbor Consultants Co Ltd, to handle the project.

“The company has an excellent track record and has worked on bridges such as the world’s second longest bridge, Donghai Bridge, in China,” the spokesman said.

The second bridge would be the longest in South-East Asia when completed in January 2011.

Work on second Penang bridge delayed
Sunday January 20, 2008
TheStar

PENANG: Construction work on the second Penang bridge has not stopped, but only slightly delayed.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the delay was to settle problems faced by fishermen in the area.

“We have to take certain measures to minimise the impact the construction will have on the aquaculture industry,” he told reporters after opening the New World Park at Swatow Lane on Friday.

The chief minister was clarifying a report which stated that work on the second bridge was recently halted.

Dr Koh said works were still ongoing and the bridge would still be completed in 2011, a few months later than planned.

Work on second Penang bridge delayed
Sunday January 20, 2008
TheStar

PENANG: Construction work on the second Penang bridge has not stopped, but only slightly delayed.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the delay was to settle problems faced by fishermen in the area.

“We have to take certain measures to minimise the impact the construction will have on the aquaculture industry,” he told reporters after opening the New World Park at Swatow Lane on Friday.

The chief minister was clarifying a report which stated that work on the second bridge was recently halted.

Dr Koh said works were still ongoing and the bridge would still be completed in 2011, a few months later than planned.

As expected. I guess it won't be completed in 2011. BTW, has the expansion of the 1st Penang Bridge finished?

far from finished. But it's currently being done, so no complaint..

Jambatan Kedua P. Pinang dibina bulan depan
PULAU PINANG 23 Jan. - Kerja-kerja pembinaan Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang yang menghubungkan Batu Kawan dan Batu Maung di sini akan dimulakan sepenuhnya selepas cuti Tahun Baru Cina, bulan depan.

Ketua Pasukan Khas Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang, Tan Sri Zaini Omar berkata, perkembangan projek itu ketika ini juga mengatasi jadual asal dan yakin ia akan dapat disiapkan sebagaimana dirancang pada tahun 2010.

Menurut beliau, kebanyakan kerja persediaan dan asas bagi pembinaan jambatan itu juga telah pun selesai mengikut jadual yang ditetapkan.

"Kerja-kerja asas seperti penyelidikan tanah, kajian topografi, kajian dasar air, ujian cerucuk telah selesai dibuat dan tiada masalah yang timbul.

"Bagaimanapun, kerja sebenar secara keseluruhan berkaitan projek akan kita laksanakan sepenuhnya selepas pekerja kembali daripada bercuti Tahun Baru Cina, bulan depan," katanya.

Beliau yang juga bekas Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar mengenai perkembangan projek itu di Hotel Equatorial di sini hari ini.

Tambah beliau, keputusan bagi menetapkan reka bentuk jambatan kedua itu juga akan diketahui pada Jumaat ini selepas perbincangan dilakukan antara Unit Perancangan Ekonomi (EPU), UEM Builders dan China Engineering.

''Reka bentuk jambatan itu masih mempunyai persamaan dengan konsep Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang yang telah dilancarkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"Namun, kita tidak dapat elak, bila ramai orang yang terlibat banyak pendapat dan cadangan yang diutarakan. Kita harap Jumaat ini, reka bentuk sebenar dapat kita ketahui ," katanya.

Jambatan sepanjang 24 kilometer itu yang menghubungkan Batu Kawan di Seberang Perai Selatan dan Batu Maung di kawasan Barat Daya Pulau Pinang membabitkan kos sebanyak RM3 bilion.

Sebanyak 68 hektar tanah telah dibersihkan untuk dijadikan jajaran jambatan tersebut sementara tiang yang dibina mampu menghadapi bencana alam seperti gempa bumi atau tsunami pada kekuatan tujuh pada skala Richter.

Jambatan tersebut dijangka dapat menampung sebanyak 88,880 buah kenderaan sehari apabila siap nanti.

Pembinaan jambatan ini melibatkan pembiayaan dari Exim Bank of China, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia dan kerajaan. Perjanjian pembiayaan telah ditandatangani pada 13 Julai tahun lepas di Putrajaya.

Dalam pada itu, Zaini mengakui kos pembinaan Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang yang asalnya dijangka sekitar RM2.8 bilion dijangka meningkat sehingga RM4 bilion berikutan kenaikan harga bahan binaan di dunia ketika ini.

Tambahnya, kos asal itu juga berdasarkan penilaian yang dibuat beberapa tahun lepas dan ia dijangka lebih tinggi jika dinilai mengikut keadaan harga bahan mentah semasa.

Selepas sidang akhbar tersebut, Zaini kemudiannya dibawa meninjau kerja-kerja menyiapkan loji bahan binaan berhampiran tapak projek Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang di Batu Kawan, dekat sini.

Dalam lawatan kira-kira setengah jam itu, Zaini turut diberi taklimat oleh beberapa pegawai UEM Builders mengenai perkembangan kerja-kerja tanah di kawasan itu.

'Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang siap ikut jadual'


GEORGETOWN: Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang sepanjang 24 kilometer yang menghubungkan Batu Maung dekat sini dengan Batu Kawan di Seberang Prai, akan siap mengikut jadual pada akhir 2010.

Jaminan itu diberikan oleh Ketua Pasukan Petugas Khas Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang, Tan Sri Zaini Omar, semalam.

Zaini yang mengetuai pasukan yang ditubuhkan pada 1 Oktober lalu, menjelaskan kerja sebenar projek itu termasuk menanam tiang akan bermula sepenuhnya selepas sambutan Tahun Baru Cina bulan depan.



"Kerja pembinaan jambatan itu berjalan mengikut jadual dan perkembangannya amat memuaskan.

"Jambatan akan siap mengikut perancangan iaitu akhir 2010 dan beroperasi pada Januari 2011," katanya pada sidang media di sini, semalam.

Ini kali pertama sidang media diadakan oleh pasukan petugas itu sejak ditubuhkan. Pasukan itu yang dianggotai oleh wakil Kementerian Kewangan, Kementerian Kerjaraya dan kerajaan negeri ditubuhkan bagi memantau kelancaran pembinaan jambatan berkenaan.

Sidang media itu diadakan bagi menjelaskan kekeliruan status pembinaan jambatan berkenaan berikutan arahan berhenti kerja dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) berkaitan kerja mengorek di jajaran projek itu, baru-baru ini.

Minggu lalu, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah, turut memberi jaminan projek itu akan diteruskan dan kerajaan tiada sebarang niat untuk menghentikannya.

Tahun lalu, Malaysia memeterai perjanjian kemudahan pinjaman AS800 juta (RM2.7 bilion) dengan China Exim Bank bagi membiayai pembinaan jambatan itu. Pembinaan dilakukan secara usahasama oleh UEM Group Bhd dan konsortium usaha sama China, Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) iaitu UEM Construction.

Zaini berkata, arahan berhenti kerja yang dikeluarkan oleh JAS berkaitan peralatan yang digunakan bagi pembuangan kira-kira 10 juta tan selut setiap bulan hasil daripada kerja pengorekan.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya menjangkakan peralatan itu boleh sampai dalam masa dua minggu tetapi mengambil masa lebih sebulan.

"Selut yang dibuang di Pulau Kendi (perairan negeri ini) tertakluk kepada syarat tertentu dan perkara itu terkawal," katanya sambil menambah Kerajaan Pulau Pinang memberi kerjasama lebih daripada 100 peratus bagi menjayakan projek itu.

Beliau menegaskan, arahan itu tidak akan menjejaskan kerja pembinaan jambatan, malah sudah banyak kerja awal termasuk ujian tanah dan menanam tiang dijalankan.

"Sebanyak 333 lubang sudah dibuat sepanjang jajaran jambatan itu," katanya.

Lubang sedalam 50 hingga 100 meter setiap satu, akan dijadikan tapak apabila kerja pembinaan tiang jambatan dijalankan.

Mengenai pertikaian konsep reka bentuk jambatan di antara UEM dan CHEC, Zaini berkata, satu perjumpaan akan diadakan di Unit Perancang Ekonomi Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Putrajaya, esok.

"Perbincangan itu diharap akan memuktamadkan konsep reka bentuk jambatan berkenaan," katanya.

that's the good news everyone wants to hear!

eh? i thought they started construction already, like some forumers said..

Petronas not funding 2nd Penang Bridge
by Chong Jin Hun, 27 Mar 2008 12:30 PM
THEEDGEDAILY

KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will not finance the construction of the RM3 billion second Penang Bridge as requested by the island state’s new administration under the opposition coalition.

Petronas will, however, leave it to the federal government’s discretion on how the latter would use its revenue from the national oil producer, said Petronas vice-president for corporate planning and development division Datuk Nasaruddin Md Idris.

“We finance infrastructures as far as oil and gas projects are concerned. (But) we don’t finance building of bridges. It’s up to the government to decide how to spend it,” Nasaruddin told reporters at the sidelines of the “Invest Malaysia 2008” conference yesterday.

Petronas’cumulative contribution to the government for the last 30 years had reached a tune of RM336 billion. In 2007, income from the national oil entity accounted for 35% of government revenue.

Newly-appointed Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng had proposed the use of funds from Petronas to fully finance the construction of the Second Penang Brige, a project awarded to UEM World Bhd.

The 24km bridge connecting Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on Penang island is slated to be the longest in Malaysia and Southeast Asia upon completion.

Last year, Malaysia and China entered into a RM2.7 billion loan agreement to finance the construction of the bridge. The deal involved the Malaysian government, China’s Exim Bank and Bank Pembangunan (Malaysia) Bhd.

Meanwhile, Nasaruddin expected gas subsidies by Petronas to increase this year in line with soaring crude oil prices. The oil company forked out some RM17 billion in natural gas subsidies last year.

“We don’t bear the oil subsidies. That is borne by the goverment,” he said.

2nd Penang bridge to cost RM4.3b
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2008/04/12
BusinessTimes

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Saturday/Frontpage/mari.xml/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph7/iconic12.jpg

UEM Builders and China Harbour Engineering will now have to adhere to the price tag although each had presented higher costings, sources say

THE Government has finalised costings for the second Penang bridge, setting the figure at RM4.3 billion.

Business Times learnt that the matter was finalised at a meeting held yesterday between the Finance Ministry, UEM Builders Bhd and China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC).

"The RM4.3 billion price was given by the government and both parties will now have to adhere to it although each had presented higher costings," a source said.

It is learnt that Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Tan Sri Zaini Omar, who heads a task force for the implementation of the second bridge project.

The 24km second Penang bridge (of which 17km will be on water) will link Penang island and Seberang Prai.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd - a subsidiary of UEM Builders Bhd - has named port builder and bridge construction firm CHEC as its main contractor for the bridge which will link Batu Maung on the island with Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai.

The source said in setting the final cost for the second crossing project, the government has taken into consideration the rising cost of materials such as steel.

"Both parties must come to an understanding on how they are going to work things out before they sign an agreement on the price," the source added.

It is learnt that the deal will be inked by the end of this month.

The iconic bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, will be the longest in South-East Asia and expected to be opened to the public by 2011.

how about the platform?

UEM Builders: Pact extended
Published: 2008/04/17




UEM Builders Bhd said the agreement between UEM Group Bhd and the CHEC-UEMC consortium for the construction of Penang Second Bridge has been extended for nine months from April 13 2008.

The company told Bursa Malaysia Bhd that the extension provides more time for the parties to fulfil the conditions set in the agreement dated July 13 2007.

It did not elaborate. The 24km bridge, which will link Batu Maung on the Penang island and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is scheduled to be opened by January 2011.

Haih ya~! another delay...:ohno:

17-04-2008: Second Penang bridge project extended

KUALA LUMPUR: The construction of the proposed second Penang Bridge has been extended for a further nine months from April 13, UEM Builders Bhd said in an announcement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

UEM Builders did not provide reasons for the extension other than saying that it is “to allow additional time for fulfilment of the conditions precedent as set out in the agreement”.

Last July, UEM Builders’ ultimate holding company UEM Group Bhd received the government’s nod to construct the 23km bridge linking the island to the peninsula. The project is to be undertaken by a consortium comprising UEM Builders’ wholly owned subsidiary UEM Costruction Sdn Bhd and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_5a5df63c-cb73c03a-36306800-d449a934

___
Hi everyone, im new kaki. been reading for a while..

Penang CM disappointed over bridge delay
By ANDREA FILMER


PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed disappointment over news that the completion of the Second Link or second Penang Bridge would be delayed.

Responding to reports that the second link would need an extra nine months to be completed, Lim said bridge contractor UEM Builders Bhd had yet to inform the state about the delay.

“All we know is what we read in the newspapers.

“It seems that the promise made by Tan Sri Zaini Omar (the second bridge’s special task force head) to complete the Second Link by 1 Jan 2011 remains an unfulfilled promise.

“We are very disheartened with the delay and higher costs of the project as in the end, Penangites will be the ones to pay more,” Lim said after visiting the recently resumed Penang Hill funicular railway Thursday morning.

News reports said the Federal Government had set the cost of the bridge at RM4.3bil over the previous estimate of RM3.5bil.

Lim said the project delay and lack of information from the Federal Government was disappointing.

“The state government is ready and willing to work with the Federal Government, however, we don’t seem to be getting any response.

"This is not a healthy way for the Federal Government to react to the sincerity of the new state government,” he said.

Lim added that “other measures” would be looked into if the state continued to get the cold shoulder from the Federal Government, but declined to elaborate.

On the public spat between him and former deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah, Lim said his office was drafting a letter to invite Abdul Rashid to a meeting.

“The state government is trying to be fair and we want to hear his side of the story on several land issues.

“While we can access information from the Land Office, this does not shed light on why certain deals that are not in the public’s interest, were made in the first place,” Lim said, saying that these deals led to tens of millions of ringgit being siphoned off.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/17/nation/20080417165046&sec=nation

this is how dollah works lah, no wonder. other than this many projects are either delayed or in an 'unknown status'. they are:

JB monorail
Penang sentral
Penang monorail
Khazanah's theme park
Plaza Rakyat (promised by dollah in 2004 to be resumed but still...)
Klang Valley's mass transit extension
East Coast highway 2nd and 3rd phase

i don't know...what are the good things about him ....

Osh the truth is simply they dont have the funds for all those preposed projectslah.All have to pinjamlah and the only once are willing to pinjam them the money are the chinese banks!!!When the chinese are in the picture surely its going to be a chinese contractor so all the so called "GLC" punya share smaller or nothing at all.

Penang Sentral is PFI project, but so far, the temporary bus terminal is yet to open. I think they still doing minor and finishing jobs. I'm afraid they will stop doing alltogether and present people of Penang, the 'scaled-down' Penang Sentral as a 'gift'.

I went home to Penang last week and pass through Penang Sentral site, PENANG SENTRAL signboard is up already...but like i said, this temporary will be turned into permanent one. BECAUSE.

the place was razed in fire 8 years ago. The site is owned by PPSB. PPSB CEO and Chairman is Dato Ahmad Ibnihajar, one of many UMNO goons still lurking for Guan Eng's blood.

If UMNO is so good and BN government care about people, why the hell it took so long for them to start rebuilding the Butterworth Bus Terminal. It took them 7 years to come out with a masterplan. Since Ahmad Ibnihajar represent PPSB, why he delayed the project? We read in newspaper the project delayed by red-tape. So we can say that the PPSB/UMNO delayed the project because of PPSB reluctance to release the land.

UMNO can never work with non-malay. Even with Gerakan and MCA. They never like Koh Tsu Koon and they will never like DAP and Guan Eng, beware and think, this Penang Sentral project will be delayed further. But i will be happy if the prove me wrong.

Good point, Arkdriver. Bravo.

We have to reject BN.

the MRCB is owned by GLCs and i don't think it can be called PFI. and if we want to talk about PFI.....we can talk about YTL's HSR as well....

and even it is 100% using YTL's money and the proposal submitted since 2006, gomen still saying...'we haven't discussed it yet'....:ohno: