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.

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.

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

Land need for second bridge
Tuesday November 7, 2006
TheStar

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.

Second link will halve load on Penang Bridge
Friday November 10, 2006
TheStar


PENANG: Traffic volume at the Penang Bridge will be reduced by half after the opening of the RM2.6bil second bridge.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the new bridge would provide a direct link to the airport and greatly ease congestion on the existing bridge.

“Currently, half of the traffic on the bridge heads towards the south of the island. Many trailers also head towards the Penang International Airport via the bridge,” he pointed out.

Dr Koh was speaking to newsmen after opening the RM11mil Multitest Electronic Systems (Penang) Sdn Bhd at the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park here yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge construction on Sunday.

The 22.5km bridge, which connects Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is expected to be ready in four years.

Dr Koh said the project as well as the monorail and the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) would help reduce traffic congestion on the island.

“We anticipate the monorail to be ready by the time the bridge is completed. We also hope that the PORR will be near completion at that time,” he said.

The state, he said, would also undertake measures to improve public transportation on the island within the next five years.

Dr Koh said the bridge project would see many labourers, engineers and subcontractors coming to the state, thus boosting the state’s economy.

“The economic spin-off will also benefit neighbouring states,” he added.

Bridge traffic to be halved
Friday November 10, 2006
By K. SUTHAKAR
TheStar


PENANG: Traffic volume at the Penang Bridge will be re-duced by half after the opening of the RM2.6bil second bridge.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the new bridge would provide a direct link to the airport and greatly ease congestion on the existing bridge.

“Currently, half of the traffic on the bridge heads towards the south of the island. Many trailers also head towards the Penang International Airport via the bridge,” he pointed out.

Dr Koh was speaking to newsmen after opening the RM11mil Multitest Electronic Systems (Penang) Sdn Bhd at the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park here yesterday.

The Chief Minister was also taken on a tour of the plant by the company’s managing di-rector Lars Winkelmann and the firm’s parent company CEO Carl Funke.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/11/10/north/be.jpg

HI-TECH:Dr Koh taking a closer look at a machine during
the factory tour.With him are Winkelmann(right)and Funke.





Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge construction on Sunday.

The 22.5km bridge, which connects Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is expected to be ready in four years.

Dr Koh said the project as well as the monorail and the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) would help reduce traffic congestion on the is-land.

“We anticipate the monorail to be ready by the time the bridge is completed. We also hope that the PORR will be near completion at that time,” he said.

The state, he said, would also undertake measures to improve public transportation on the island within the next five years.

Dr Koh said the bridge project would see many labou-rers, engineers and subcontractors coming to the state, thus boosting the state’s eco-nomy.

“The economic spin-off will also benefit neighbouring states,” he added.

PM to launch work on bridge
10 Nov 2006
Marina Emmanuel
NewStraitTimes


GEORGE TOWN: Motorists will enjoy a smoother ride to and from Penang, once the RM2.6 billion second Penang bridge is completed in about four years.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the 24km link, from Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, this Sunday.

The existing 13.5km bridge, one of Asia’s longest, was built in 1985.

An estimated 110,000 vehicles use it a day, rising to 140,000 on weekends.

"Half the traffic on the bridge now is made up of containers heading to the airport... The new bridge will therefore take away a substantial amount of congestion," said Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon yesterday.

He added that the four-year construction period will also boost the state’s economy as engineers, construction companies and other experts enjoy the spin-offs.

The second Penang bridge project was approved and announced in 2003.

Speaking to reporters after opening the RM8 million Multitest Electronic Systems Sdn Bhd facility at the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, he said two other major projects would help reduce congestion on the island itself.

Describing the yet to be launched RM1.02 billion Penang Outer Ring Road and RM1.2 billion Penang monorail as projects with "parallel progress", Koh said the construction of the ring road would be nearing completion by the time the bridge is built.

"The state government will then go all out to encourage the use of public transport," he said.

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9233/rajah13134sk.jpg

An artist's impression of the new design for the second Penang bridge.

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/25712/sisecondbridge5.jpg

Bridge a catalyst for growth
Monday November 13, 2006
By DAVID TAN and YENG AI CHUN
TheStar


NIBONG TEBAL: The RM3bil second Penang Bridge will serve as a catalyst for development at the northern corridor and also position the state as a northern hub for sea and air connections.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Penang International Airport and the Penang Port would be upgraded to support the second Penang Bridge as a gateway to the northern corridor so as to enhance and promote the economic growth of the neighbouring states.

“With the second bridge, activities at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas and the Penang Port will increase manifold in terms of export and import business,” said Abdullah at the ground-breaking ceremony of the second bridge in Batu Kawan yesterday.

“There is no need to build more airports or ports. We will use what is already there, but it (current infrastructures) should be upgraded,” he said.

“Once the airport is upgraded, I believe it will have the ability and capacity to bring air cargo from the northern region to other places. And this can also be used to import goods to cater for the needs of the northern region.

“The port when upgraded will also help boost imports and exports of goods in the northern region,” he said.

Abdullah said compared to the Klang Valley and Kinta Valley, the development of the northern region had not been aggressive.

“This may be because of the importance placed on the agriculture sector. But now, we want this area to be developed because there are many agro-based SMEs (small and medium scale enterprises) based here.”

Abdullah added that the tourism industry here would also benefit from better infrastructure.

On another matter, Abdullah assured the people that the state’s ferry services would not be terminated.

He said a special allocation would be provided to upgrade the ferry services operated by Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

“I feel that the ferry is synonymous with Penang and is one of its main tourist attractions,” he said to reporters after the ground breaking ceremony.

Abdullah also said there must be no delays by the Penang Government in approving materials for building the bridge.

“If there are delays, we would lose a lot of money and incur more costs. The bridge must be completed in the allocated time and done properly,” he said.

On another matter, Abdullah hopes delegates to the 57th Umno General Assembly will focus their debates and discussions on the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) since it is the first of the three stages to achieving Vision 2020.

Speaking later at the Permatang Pauh Umno's open house held at the Seberang Jaya Expo site, Abdullah said the construction of the second bridge linking Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the island would generate over 2,000 job opportunities as well as provide sub-contract work for 200 local contractors.

Abdullah said the northern corridor was chosen for development because it had large tracts of land for agro-based and agriculture activities.

“There are also land near Permatang Pauh suitable for the biotechnology invest.

“I have asked Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to bring biotechnology investments quickly into the area,” he said.

Abdullah said some 31,000 contracts had been given to small contractors in the class ‘F’ category following the implementation of the 9MP in June.

It took only months to implement project
Monday November 13, 2006
TheStar


BUKIT MERTAJAM: The conceptualisation and implementation of Penang's second bridge took only a few months after the project was approved.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi said a project of such magnitude would normally take years to get off the ground.

“However, the Prime Minister drove himself to ensure that the whole project was implemented as soon as possible.

“The speed of implementation is particularly impressive,” he said at the Permatang Pauh Umno Hari Raya open house at Seberang Jaya expo site.

Norwawi said the project would be implemented through the private finance initiative (PFI) which he described as “another innovation in Paklah’s administration”.

why thye build these platforms??

deleted

Malaysia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/LocationMalaysia.png

Penang
The Pearl of the Orient

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3a/MalaysiaPulauPinang.png/300px-MalaysiaPulauPinang.png

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/4385/luchtfotopenang18mx.jpg

Penang Second Bridge
:|
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Official name Penang Second Bridge
Malay name Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang
Locale Penang Second Bridge
North-South Expressway Northern Route
Carries Motor vehicles
Crosses South Channel
Longest span 17 km
Total length 24 km
Width 250 m
Opening date January 2011
Design UEM Builders
Designer/clients Malaysian Highway Authority
UEM Builders
Contractor/construction UEM Builders

UEM hopes to ink 2nd Penang Bridge deal by mid-year
By Sharen Kaur
January 2 2007


Physical work at the site will continue in efforts to fast track the development of the bridge, says UEM director of business development

THE UEM Group hopes to sign the concession agreement for the Second Penang Bridge with the Government by the middle of this year.

UEM Group director of business development Mohd Azman Sulaiman said the detailed design is being developed, which will ultimately determine the final project cost.

"Physical work at the site will continue in efforts to fast track the development of the bridge," Mohd Azman told Business Times.

He said UEM is also evaluating various models of financing, which may include local and foreign investment funds, apart from the group's internally generated funds.

"The Government has entrusted us to build the bridge. One of the advantages we have is that we are already operating the first Penang bridge as the concession holder," he added.

Mohd Azman said UEM is looking at opportunities to synergise the first bridge with the second, while helping to derive as many other social economic spillover benefits that can be developed by putting the second bridge in place.

"The process of building the bridge will ensure that all stakeholders maximise benefits out of this initiative.

"We even want the local community to feel as if they are a part of the team delivering this bridge," he said.

UEM expects to maximise Malaysian input in the design and development of the second bridge with ambitions of at least 60 per cent of its value delivered by Malaysian entities, maximising Bumiputera participation, as part of the Government's national social economic agenda.

To ensure that the project is delivered on time so it could open to traffic by early 2011, UEM will fast track its development while implementing a suitable vendor development programme to have the right sub-contractors in place.

"UEM aims to have multiple levels of awards of sub-contractors who follow the vendor development programme. The whole idea is to develop a full supply chain which may then expand their potential to work together with us on our international projects.

"This is also a concerted effort to improve productivity and quality of the local construction industry and reduce reliance on foreign labour," said Mohd Azman.

"We are also strong supporters of the Government's initiative on adopting Industrialised Building Systems in the building and construction industry.

UEM was appointed by the Government to build, manage, operate and maintain the Second Penang Bridge. The 24km bridge will connect Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai to Batu Maung on the island and is one of the High Impact Projects being rolled out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Batu Kawan plan
Photos by TYW
The whole Batu Kawan island - 2nd largest island in Penang

http://img59.exs.cx/img59/5176/batukawan23wo.jpg

2nd link connected to batu kawan

http://img59.exs.cx/img59/9122/batukawan36cw.jpg

i still can't believe the bridge don't have a tower span :(

i still can't believe the bridge don't have a tower span :(

there are various type of bridge...and there are also a lo0o0o0o0ot of bridges which has no 'tower span'. for example...the famous one can be seen in hollywood movies,'true lies' and 'MI3'

Why UEM picked for Penang’s second bridge
TheStar

UEM Bhd was picked as the main contractor for the second bridge project in Penang because it can carry out major projects with high technical expertise.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad said another reason was that UEM's subsidiary Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd (PBSB) holds the concessionaire for the present bridge.

PBSB was also the main contractor involved in the road-widening work at the present bridge, he told Lim Hock Seng (DAP – Bagan).

“A letter of intent had recently been issued and UEM is now preparing a detailed technical report for the Government.

“UEM is also responsible for the appointment of the main contractor, consultant engineer, mechanical and electrical consultants, sub-contractors and everyone involved in the second bridge project,” he added.

Asked by Lim the type of work that would be given to bumiputra contractors in the project, Mohd Zin said the Government encouraged UEM to use local contractors and experts in the project.

ICP to gain from construction pick-up
TheStar (http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/5/business/16774792&sec=business)


PETALING JAYA: Industrial Concrete Products Bhd (ICP), which has 75% share of the local piles industry, stands to benefit from the expected pick-up in construction activities this year, a CIMB Investment Bank report said.

“We believe that ICP's piles could be tapped because some as yet to be awarded mega projects, notably the electrified railway double tracking, West Coast Expressway, Penang Outer Ring Road, Penang Second Bridge and Penang Monorail projects,” it said.

The 66.3% subsidiary of IJM Corp Bhd is also well positioned to gain from rural development and infrastructure projects worth RM40bil that were outlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

The company has seen a boost in public sector demand.

Last year, the bulk of its order book was driven by the private sector, but in recent months, “its demand mix appears to have shifted towards the public sector,” CIMB said.

The research house has a “buy'' call on the counter with price catalysts being, potential receipt of more orders from customers, following the award of more construction projects by the Government this year and the company's capacity expansion plans.

ICP is in the process of setting up a new production line in Kapar, Selangor in addition to the present 10 that the company has in the peninsula.

When the new line starts operations, likely to be in the early part of the second half of 2007, ICP's annual production capacity will hit 1.5 million tonnes against 1.32 million now.

ICP's order book is also on the rise with management revealing there has been a pick-up in the order flow over the past two months.

“We view this positively as it marks the beginning of stronger order flows since many of the planned projects have yet to be awarded. This should swell ICP's outstanding order book, which stood at around RM100mil for three months of work as at the end of November 2006,” CIMB said.

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.

Note : Bridges in Malaysia (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=260143&page=5)

Dec 2010 completion
Wednesday April 25, 2007
By DAVID TAN
TheStar


PENANG: Piling works in the sea for the 24km second link are scheduled to begin end of the year.

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said test piling was being carried out now in the sea to determine if the soil could withstand the load of the bridge.

“This should be completed in three months.

“Actual piling works should start some time towards the end of the year and should be completed in 18 months,” he said after a visit to inspect the progress of the RM3bil second link project in Batu Maung and Batu Kawan.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Da-tuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah, state executive councillors Datuk Koay Kar Huah, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, and UEM Builders Bhd chair-man Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.

Dr Koh said piling works for the 6km stretch of the second link in Batu Kawan started re-cently and would take a year to complete.

He added that the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) had been told to freeze applications for all development projects near the alignment of the second bridge in Batu Kawan.

“The freeze is on private land located within a 2km radius of the second link alignment in Batu Kawan.

“The move is necessary because the state go-vernment will have to acquire some private land for the construction of the second link,” he said.

Dr Koh said the second bridge would be completed on schedule by Dec 2010.

He said the visit to check on the progress was not prompted by recent criticisms by the opposition parties that no work had been carried out yet.

“It is a mammoth project. Certain initial works that have been carried out may not be so visible to the public but that does not mean no work has been carried out,” he said.

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.

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.

--BERNAMA

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

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.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/bridge.jpg

Firm to build longest bridge
By Lu Haoting (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-14 06:51


China Harbor Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), the country's top port builder and a leading bridge construction firm, agreed on Friday to build a bridge linking the mainland of Malaysia with the country's northern Penang state.

When completed in January 2011, the $1.1 billion bridge will become Southeast Asia's longest.

The Export-Import Bank of China, a government-owned policy bank, will provide an $800 million loan, the largest amount provided by China to finance a single project in a foreign country.

The loan will carry a 3 percent interest rate over 20 years. Commercial banks usually have a shorter repayment period and higher interest rates.

The bridge is also CHEC's largest overseas project in terms of contract value.

"The bridge will become a symbol of friendship between China and Malaysia. It is also a great opportunity for CHEC," Sun Ziyu, CHEC president, told China Daily on the sidelines of Friday's contract and loan agreement signing ceremony.

Design and construction of the bridge is being undertaken by a consortium in which CHEC holds a 51 percent stake. UEM Construction, a unit of Malaysia's leading construction conglomerate UEM Group, has the remaining shares.

CHEC will design and build the main part of the bridge that will cross the South Channel, between Penang Island and the Malaysian mainland. UEM will be responsible for the bridge approach.

The 22.5-km bridge will be the second to link Penang Island with the Malaysian mainland after the existing Penang Bridge, which is being expanded to accommodate increasing traffic.

The new bridge is part of the Ninth Malaysian Plan, a comprehensive government blueprint to allocate the national budget from 2006 to 2010.

The most striking feature of the planned bridge is two sightseeing platforms at its central span. The platforms will enable tourists to enjoy a panoramic view of Penang and the mainland.

"Southeast Asia has been a major overseas market of CHEC due to its huge demand for infrastructure building. With the closer relationship between China and ASEAN countries, we hope to see more opportunities in the future," Sun said.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-07/14/content_5434978.htm

Thanks for the news! :)

Second link ‘now closer to reality’
Monday July 16, 2007
By YENG AI CHUN


PENANG: Many Penangites have welcomed news of the signing of a RM2.7bil loan agreement to build another Penang bridge, saying the proposed second link is now a step closer to reality.

“The link has been talked about for many years. Now that the agreement has been inked, it will become a reality and not just plain talk,” said Mai-zatus Syahrizat, 31, from Bukit Mertajam.

She said the second bridge would benefit everyone as the present bridge was not sufficient to cater for the heavy traffic.

The 23km-long second bridge, which will link Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland, is touted to be the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

Batu Kawan village development and secu-rity committee chairman Aziz Wan Chik be-lieved the construction of the second link would make Batu Kawan more accessible to islanders.

“More people might move here as there is a bridge nearby for them to commute to the island. Batu Kawan will then be a thriving township,” he added.

Contractor Chew Joo Leong, 51, a resident in Batu Kawan, believes the construction of the second link would boost the economy in the areas surrounding the second bridge.

“If they can build the bridge quickly, it would be better. The bridge will open up more business in Batu Kawan and the property market can take off,” said Chew.

Clinic assistant S. Darmani, 20, said the second link would help ease much of the traffic jam on the current Penang Bridge.

“The bridge is often jammed, especially if there are accidents. The second link will help disperse traffic,” she added.

Malaysia and China signed the loan agreement on Friday to pave way for the construction of the second link. Construction is scheduled to begin in November and complete in 2011.

The design looks quite sophisticated but I'm sure its gonna be an absolute georgeous when the construction finish.

Cannot wait to view the sea from its pearl-shaped observation deck!!!

UEM looking at 49% stake in second Penang Bridge
Updated : 17-07-2007
Media : The Edge


UEM Builders Bhd (http://www.uembuilders.com/) subsidiary UEM Construction Sdn Bhd may have a 49% stake in the joint venture (JV) with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to build the second Penang Bridge.

UEM group chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said UEM Construction was working out the details pertaining to its interest in the bridge project, but its interest could be 49%.

"Still much water is to flow under the bridge yet," he told reporters after attending the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding.

The memorandum is to establish an endowment fund with Universiti Teknologi Mara here yesterday.

Last Friday, UEM Construction signed a contract with CHEC for the joint venture following a RM2.7 billion loan agreement between the Malaysian government, China's Exim Bank and Bank Pembangunan (Malaysia) Bhd.

The loan facility is said to be the largest given by China for a single project to a foreign country and the construction is expected to start in November.

Upon completion by 2011, the 23-km bridge will be the longest bridge in Southeast Asia.

UEM group managing director Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said the parties were still finalising the cost to build the bridge depending on its design.

"Because of the tight schedule to complete the bridge by end-2010, works that can be done have been done," he added.

Among others, works such as piling and soil investigation have been carried out while the land on which the bridge will pass over has been cleared.

"Major construction has to wait until the design is finalised," Ahmad Pardas added.

Second Penang Bridge construction to start in November

By DAVID TAN

XIAMEN: China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) is expected to start construction work on the second Penang bridge in November and will use a special technology for the project to ensure its completion in 2011.

CHEC information manager Ma Jie said the company would use the technology of pre-fabricated box beam, called the 'short-line matching' technology, to produce short sections of beams, each measuring 3 to 4 metres for the bridge.

"The small size of the beams will make it easy for them to be transported to the site of the bridge with smaller vessels.

"It is not practical to produce long beams, which require large vessels to carry them.

"Large vessels will have a tough time transporting the beams to the site because the sea surrounding the project is shallow.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/7/26/business/leadpicpenangbridge.JPG
Ann artist's impression of the Second Penang Bridge

"Finally, we can also manufacture small beams with greater measurement precision and accuracy," he said.

Ma added that construction work for the second bridge is expected to begin in November 2007.

Ma spoke at a briefing to some 20 journalists from Malaysia held in Xiamen, where CHEC is constructing the 3.8km Jimei Bridge, using the same technology.

The Penang second bridge is the sixth bridge undertaken by CHEC using the technology.

CHEC is using the same technology to build the Jimei and Sutong bridges in Xiamen and Shanghai.

"We expect to manufacture the beams in one year. It will take another 22 to 23 months to join the beams together," he said.

Ma said some six production lines to produce the beams would be set up in Penang.

"Construction work should begin before the year ends.

"Some 1,000 engineers and technicians from China are estimated to be involved in the project.

"They will be sent to Penang in gradual phases to work on the second bridge," he added.

Ma said pre-stress technology would also be used to manufacture the beams.

"The pre-stress technology enables the bridge to withstand the impact from an earthquake of 7 on the richter scale," he said.

Ma said the cost of the raw materials and the design of the bridge had yet to be finalised.

China is providing Malaysia US$800mil in loans, with a 3% interest rate and a repayment period of 20 years.

Best Workers From China For Second Penang Bridge


From Shanty Devi Ayadurai

SHANGHAI, July 27 (Bernama) -- The most experienced workers and professionals from China will be employed for building the Second Penang Bridge, says a senior engineer with the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, Wan Jun Yi.

Wan is presently managing the Sutong Bridge which was recently completed by CHEC in the Jiangsu Province of China.

The bridge is the first in CHEC's list to use the short-line-matching technology for building the bridge across the Yangtze River, linking Nantong city and Suzhou city in the province.

The Penang Second Bridge will be also built using the same technology.

The 8146 m long Sutong bridge which partly used the technology is also the world's first longest stayed cable bridge.

Its other world records include having the main span stretching for 1088 m, beating the record held by Japan's Duo Duo Luo Bridge by 198 m.

A total of 3,000 workers were used in building the bridge, Wan told Malaysian journalists during a visit to the bridge some 300 km from here Wednesday.

CHEC, which is developing the Second Penang Bridge together with UEM, has given the commitment to the Malaysian government to start work on the bridge in early November if all relevant approvals and documentation on the Malaysian side are completed by Aug 1.

CHEC has already started survey and geo-investigation works at site and mobilised dredging equipment and is on standby to start other preliminary work such as trial piles and dredging.

It is also awaiting the final say from the Malaysian government and UEM on the design for the two viewing platforms on either side of the bridge which are expected to have some Islamic features.

The location of the production yard for the bridge materials and other machinery is also yet to be identified.

CHEC is China's leading bridge builder but its projects have been mostly within China so far and it sees the development of the Second Penang Bridge as a significant development outside China and as a move towards its expansion to the region and the rest of the world.

-- BERNAMA

PM to launch Butterworth park
Friday August 3, 2007
TheStar


THE launching of a 50th Independence Anniversary Park in Permatang Pauh, Butterworth, will be the highlight of the prelude to the Merdeka celebrations this year.

Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid who heads Program Mesra Rakyat Merdeka celebrations said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would launch the park at Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute in Permatang Pauh this Saturday.

He said the park which was still under design and planning stage would feature the development and achievements made under Abdullah and past prime ministers.

“The park will also have galleries displaying contributions of the past leaders.

“Cycling and jogging tracks will also be built within the park which will also serve as a recreational area for the people,” he said.

Abdul Jalil said a mini Putrajaya and replicas of the Petronas twin tower, the Penang Bridge and the Penang Second Link would be built in the park.

“All tree species that can be found in the country will also be planted in the park,” Abdul Jalil who is also the Permatang Pauh Umno division head said.

Abdul Jalil said this at a press conference and launching of Program Mesra Rakyat at the institute.

He said the park would be sited on a 43ha plot owned by the federal government.

Application to turn the land into a park had been submitted for approval, he said.

He added that once approved, work to construct the park would take about two years.

“We will also promote the park as a new tourist destination for Penang,” he said.

He said Abdullah would be escorted by 15 vintage cars to the launching ceremony.

Good stake in Second Penang Bridge project
Monday August 6, 2007
By DAVID TAN in SHANGHAI


Malaysia has obtained a good equity stake of 49% in the joint-venture CHEC-UEMC Consortium, despite receiving a substantial loan of US$800mil from China.

The CHEC-UEMC Consortium is formed by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) and UEM Group to build the Second Penang Bridge.

CHEC information division manager Ma Jie said this was due to the strong bilateral-relationship between China and Malaysia that had lasted more than 600 years.

“China would usually want to hold on to an 80% or 90% stake in the joint-venture company when it gave out such a substantial loan but because of the relations, China is agreeable to Malaysia holding a 49% stake,” he said.

Ma said the 3% interest charged by China and the 20-year repayment period was also a special deal for Malaysia.

“If UEM Group had gone elsewhere to obtain the loan, the interest rate would be between 5% and 6%.

“In short, Malaysia's cost to build the bridge drops significantly, due to the loan from China,” he added.

Ma said CHEC would also consider collaborating with UEM to work on infrastructure projects in African and Middle-Eastern countries.

“CHEC does not build only bridges. It also has the expertise in highways and airports.

“Presently CHEC has infrastructure projects in the Middle East, while UEM is undertaking similar projects in Qatar,” he added.

By joining with CHEC, a Fortune 500 company, UEM is bringing in one of the world's leading bridge builders to construct the second link in Penang.

“CHEC is now constructing the 32.4km Sutong Bridge, which is the world's longest cable-stay bridge, connecting Suzhou and Nantong.

“The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2008. In December 2005, CHEC completed the 32.5km Donghai Bridge, the world's second longest bridge, connecting Shanghai and Yangshan Deepwater Port,” he said.

On constructing Penang’s 23km second bridge, Ma said CHEC would use environmentally friendly pre-fabricated pile foundation and pre-fabricated assembly pack technology.

“A pre-fabrication yard would be built in Penang to manufacture 294 piers and 9,364 sections for the bridge. It would take a year to produce the pre-fabricated parts and about 24 months to join them. The bridge, with the ability to withstand a 7 Richter scale earthquake, will have a 100-year life span. Over 80% of the raw materials used for the bridge will be sourced in Malaysia,” he said.

Ma said the bridge would have a dual two-lane carriageway with one motorcycle lane on each side. CHEC has over 100,000 employees worldwide, more than 60 offices overseas, and has a turnover of US$15bil last year.

BizFocus:
Chinese link in Second Penang Bridge
By Marina Emmanuel
August 8 2007

China Harbour Engineering will play a significant role as the main contractor for the Second Penang Bridge. BT looks at China Harbour’s track record and the positive impact its participation will have on the project.

CHINA's building boom is setting the stage for some of today's innovative architecture and engineering feats, through the use of bold designs and new construction methods.

The list of superlative projects include the Beijing International Airport (whose terminal is set to cover over one million square metres, giving it a bigger footprint than the Pentagon), the 101-storey Shanghai World Financial Centre skyscraper, Dongtan Eco-City, the Olympic Stadium in Beijing and China's first cross-sea Donghai Bridge.

And now, Chinese architectural and engineering companies are also stamping their mark around the globe by venturing out and winning major projects.

One such firm is China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), a Fortune 500 company, which has extended its 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.

Touted as China's leader in navigational channel dredging and harbour construction, CHEC provides services in surveying, engineering design and supervision for harbour, road, bridge and airport construction, dredging, irrigation, and other public works.

It also provides services in consultancy, research, logistics, and project management, besides owning and operating a fleet of over 800 modern dredgers, floating cranes and pile drivers, barges, and other work boats.

Among the technically-advanced roads, bridges, tunnels and public works CHEC has helped build include Macao's Friendship Bridge and the Rama, the Eighth Bridge in Thailand.

CHEC's portfolio covers almost every type of bridge, including suspension, cable-stayed, arch and continuous-box girder bridges.

"In the past 17 years we have built more than 100 bridges," CHEC senior engineer and manager of its information division Ma Jie told Malaysian reporters during a recent familiarisation trip to Xiamen, Shanghai and Suzhou.

The trip was meant, among others, to showcase China's capabilities in bridge building, as CHEC is designing and constructing the Second Penang Bridge.

The iconic bridge - which is set to be Southeast Asia's longest - will link Batu Maung on Penang island with Batu Kawan on the mainland.

The first Penang Bridge, which was open in 1985, connects Gelugor on the island and Seberang Prai.

China is providing Malaysia with a US$800 million (RM2.8 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 UEM, the remaining 49 per cent.

"The joint venture in the construction of the Second Penang Bridge will enable Chinese enterprises to impart its 10 years of accumulated technical skills to its Malaysian counterparts," Ma said.

Designed to be 22.5km long (with 17km over water), the upper structure of the new bridge will be built by employing the technology of pre-fabricated box beams.

Xiamen's JiMei Bridge is one of two bridges linking Xiamen island and the mainland.

The 3.8km bridge which is being built by CHEC is also using the same pre-fabricated box beams technology, as is the Sutong Bridge in Shanghai.

Ma said the Second Penang Bridge will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 pre-fabricated beam sections. Six production lines will be set up in Penang to produce the beams.

"We expect to manufacture the beams in one year, and it will take another 22 to 23 months to join them together," he said.

With a lifespan of 100 years, Ma said, the new bridge will be constructed to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes or tsunami with an intensity of seven on the Richter scale.

He said the bridge project will also have positive economic spin-offs as CHEC plans to source for the bulk of its raw materials locally.

"Take the use of the local pre-stressed high-strength concrete piles, for example. Although China Harbour is able to source for its own materials, we will use Malaysian products," he said.

"Other raw materials such as cement and aggregate (composite), timber and steel will also be purchased locally and this is a good business opportunity for local raw material suppliers and related service providers," he added.

The construction of the new bridge is also expected to see the creation of 2,000 new jobs for management workers, technical staff, professionals and other construction workers from China and Malaysia.

"CHEC will adopt project cooperation with local companies in the construction of the second bridge. This method differs a lot from the past where Malaysia has hired Japanese and South Korean enterprises to work independently on local projects, using funds injected by these two countries," said Ma.

Malaysian engineers working with CHEC on the Penang bridge project will also be able to tap some of best design experts - who are based at CHEC's design house in Beijing, China Highway Consultant Co Ltd.

These designers have been instrumental in designing some of the world's top 10 cable-stayed bridges, which include France's Normandy Bridge, Japan's Tatara Bridge and Shanghai's Xupu Bridge.

CHEC can also take pride in the construction of China's first (and currently the world's longest) cross-sea bridge - the 32.2km six-lane Donghai Bridge - which was officially opened in 2005.

Stretching across the East China Sea, the formidable cable-stay structure connects Shanghai to Yangshan Island and is set to become China's first free-trade port, the Yangshan Deepwater Port (and the world's largest container port) upon its completion in 2010.

To provide a safer driving route in the typhoons and high waves known to hit the region, Donghai Bridge is designed in an S-shape.

The structure, reported by Shanghai Daily to have cost US$1.2 billion (RM4.2 billion), will hold its title of China's - and one of the world's - longest over-sea bridge for only a couple of years, though.

In 2008, the nearby 35.4km Hangzhou Bay Transoceanic Bridge, which also begins (or ends, depending on your journey) in Shanghai, will earn the superlative.

deleted

An Artist's impresion of the iconic Second Penang Bridge.
The bridge will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 pre-febricated beam sections.

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/9/8/9/f_008m_99465de.jpg

UEM Builders seeks more jobs in Malaysia
By Sharen Kaur
September 1 2007
BusinessTimes


http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/9/9/1/f_uem1m_e363d23.jpg

UEM Builders Bhd, which expects to double its order book to RM5 billion this year, is looking for more jobs in Malaysia.

Managing director Ridza Abdoh Salleh said UEM is gearing to secure infrastructure projects like rail, road and water, and development of buildings in Nusajaya, Johor, and those under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

"We are monitoring the development. Preparations are being made to win construction jobs in Nusajaya and the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) such as phase 2 of the Johor State New Administrative Centre (JSNAC) and Waterfront Development projects, and phase 1 of the Medical City, valued at more than RM500 million collectively," Ridza told Business Times in an interview.

UEM has contracts for Phase 1 of the JSNAC and Waterfront projects worth RM230 million and RM45 million respectively.

Ridza said UEM is also looking at opportunities in Penang, Kedah, Melaka and Terengganu, where projects are in preliminary stages of evaluation.

"If given the opportunity, we will be interested in participating in the Penang Outer Ring Road project and the Penang International Airport extension works. However, our primary focus is on the Second Penang Bridge project," Ridza said.

UEM's construction unit has a joint venture with China Harbour Engineering to construct the RM1.5 billion bridge that will open in 2011.

The group is actively looking for infrastructure development jobs in the Middle East, India and Indonesia, where it has RM1.2 billion, RM154 million and RM233 million worth of jobs respectively.

"UEM hopes to participate in a highway project undertaken by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Bhd in Indonesia," Ridza said.

On another note, Rizda said UEM is diversifying its role and expanding its earnings via multi-prong initiatives like exploring regional development projects and opportunities independently or through joint ventures with local and foreign partners.

"We are not limiting ourselves to infrastructure works only. We are exploring new ventures such as property development, industrialised cleaning and shutdown maintenance, oil and gas, and industrialised building system," Ridza said.

He said UEM will be able to optimise and generate revenues and profits from projects it secures. It is targeting more than 10 per cent growth in profit margin from projects recently secured.

According to UEM's key performance indicator, the group's revenue this year could surge 55 per cent.

It posted a net loss of RM21.5 million on revenue of RM1.8 billion for the year ended December 31 2006.

"Being a government-linked company may have its advantages, but UEM prefers to compete on a level playing field. The industry requires players to be competitive locally and internationally, and we will instill the values such as competitiveness and enterprising among our staff," he said.

Firm to build longest bridge
By Lu Haoting (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-14 06:51


China Harbor Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), the country's top port builder and a leading bridge construction firm, agreed on Friday to build a bridge linking the mainland of Malaysia with the country's northern Penang state.

When completed in January 2011, the $1.1 billion bridge will become Southeast Asia's longest.

The Export-Import Bank of China, a government-owned policy bank, will provide an $800 million loan, the largest amount provided by China to finance a single project in a foreign country.

The loan will carry a 3 percent interest rate over 20 years. Commercial banks usually have a shorter repayment period and higher interest rates.

The bridge is also CHEC's largest overseas project in terms of contract value.

"The bridge will become a symbol of friendship between China and Malaysia. It is also a great opportunity for CHEC," Sun Ziyu, CHEC president, told China Daily on the sidelines of Friday's contract and loan agreement signing ceremony.

Design and construction of the bridge is being undertaken by a consortium in which CHEC holds a 51 percent stake. UEM Construction, a unit of Malaysia's leading construction conglomerate UEM Group, has the remaining shares.

CHEC will design and build the main part of the bridge that will cross the South Channel, between Penang Island and the Malaysian mainland. UEM will be responsible for the bridge approach.

The 22.5-km bridge will be the second to link Penang Island with the Malaysian mainland after the existing Penang Bridge, which is being expanded to accommodate increasing traffic.

The new bridge is part of the Ninth Malaysian Plan, a comprehensive government blueprint to allocate the national budget from 2006 to 2010.

The most striking feature of the planned bridge is two sightseeing platforms at its central span. The platforms will enable tourists to enjoy a panoramic view of Penang and the mainland.

"Southeast Asia has been a major overseas market of CHEC due to its huge demand for infrastructure building. With the closer relationship between China and ASEAN countries, we hope to see more opportunities in the future," Sun said.

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.

Traffic Congestion on the Current Bridge

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/2-3.jpg

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

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

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

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

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/3-1.jpg

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/jegelsker99/2-1.jpg

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

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/20071030083003/Article/index_html
2007/10/30

Second Penang Bridge to now cost over RM3b
By : Phuah Ken Lin




GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the second Penang Bridge is expected to cost more than the original estimate of RM3 billion.




This, he said, was due to the rising cost of building materials.

Koh said he would have a meeting with UEM Builders Bhd and the main contractor, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), today to discuss the issue.

“I will discuss with UEM and CHEC on the revised cost structure and technical aspects of the new bridge.

“Rising cost of building materials such as cement, iron bars and earth has rendered the current RM3 billion estimates unrealistic,” said Koh after speaking at the Rosettanet Global Community and Partner conference yesterday.

Koh said the RM3 billion figure was based on estimates that was done years ago and was thus not reflective of the current cost of building materials.

He was commenting on a statement by UEM managing director Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh on the projected increase in construction cost.

Ridza said UEM would work within the new budget.

“At this moment, UEM and CHEC have yet to finalise the revised cost.”

Koh said as the bridge was a mammoth project, it would take some time for the developers to work out a new figure.

CHEC is set to begin pile testing for the 22.5km bridge, which will link Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai and Batu Maung on the island, this month.

The bridge is expected to ready by January 2011.

UEM subsidiary, UEM Construction Sdn Bhd, has formed a consortium known as CHEC-UEMC to build the bridge, with CHEC holding a 51 per cent stake and UEM the remaining stake.

The bridge will be the longest in Southeast Asia.

UEM Dismisses Speculation Over Second Penang Bridge
November 06, 2007 01:17 AM


PENANG, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- UEM Builders Bhd tonight dismissed speculation over the purported absence of construction on the second Penang bridge, saying that any physical structure will only be visible in March next year.

Its managing director, Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh, said the absence of any physical structure now did not mean that no work was going on.

The physical structure could be seen after work on the casting and moulding was completed in March next year, he told reporters at an Aidilfitri reception for the media here.

He said the company was now engaged in preliminary work on the bridge, such as clearing 68 hectares for the alignment of the bridge, conducting soil tests and marine soil tests and installing gantries.

All work began on the day that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the 24-km bridge at the end of last year, and work was being done in fast track mode, he said.

Ridza said 17 kilometres of the bridge would be over water and it was expected to be opened for use in January 2011.

He said the cost of construction was over RM3 billion but it could go up depending on any rise in the cost of construction material in the world market.

The second bridge will link Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai Selatan to Batu Maung on the island and is to feature pillars able to withstand earthquakes measuring up to seven on the Richter scale.

-- BERNAMA

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.

UEM Builders to secure more projects
23 Nov 2007 3:08 PM


http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/storage/images/com.tms.cms.image.Image_6b5468d9-cb73c03a-1d4d4930-542e436d/1/UEM-Builders.jpg

AFFIN Investment Bank Research expects UEM Builders Bhd to secure more infrastructure projects which will be implemented in the various economic corridors from 2008.

“UEM Builders’ order book remains strong at RM3.2 billion, and we do expect stronger construction bookings, especially from the Penang Second Bridge, in 2008 and 2009. The turnaround in Costain Group plc is also stronger than expected,” it said.

Affin Research maintained its buy call and target price of RM2.08 for the counter. The target price was based on 13 times calendar year 2008 (CY08) earnings per share (EPS) and since the EPS revision is minimal, the target price of RM2.08 (which now implies a CY08 PE of 12.4 times) is maintained.

UEM Builders posted net profit of RM17.99 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2007 (3Q07) compared with a net loss of RM38.42 million on-year. Revenue rose to RM652.75 million from RM489.55 million.

For the nine-month period, net profit jumped to RM51.23 million from RM21.92 million while revenue also surged to RM2.02 billion from RM1.25 billion. Earnings per share was 5.32 sen from 2.27 sen.

The research house said the 3Q net profit was 204.9% higher as Costain Group (now 20.6% owned versus 35.1% previously) turned around to contribute a profit of RM13.9 million against a loss of RM46.5 million in 3QFY06.

On-quarter, profit before tax was flat in spite of the turnaround in Costain due to minimal contribution from engineering & construction (E&C) in spite of billings from local jobs and lower contribution from infrastructure maintenance.

The local jobs include expanding the third lane for the North-South Expressway, widening of the Penang Bridge and construction of the Johor State Administrative Centre.

“At the nine-month stage, net profit recorded was still only 40% of our full-year forecast of RM126.8 million and 33% below consensus of RM154.9 million.

“We believe the shortfall is attributable to the delay in the start of the Penang Second Bridge project and/or initial costs incurred in new projects (such as the Penang Second Bridge) and delay in profit bookings. But this needs to be clarified with the management,” it said.

Affin Research said as contract claims on overseas contracts were still pending and management expected progress of some construction contract to be stretched into 2008, it was revising its FY07 forecast 21% lower. However, FY08 and FY09 forecasts were tweaked higher to reflect the turnaround in Costain.

“We believe the shortfall in profit year-to-date is principally a timing issue. UEM Builders’ order book remains strong and we expect stronger construction bookings,” it 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.

2nd Penang Bridge Ground Breaking

http://www.uem.com.my/highlight/images/penang/Ground-Breaking2.jpg

http://www.uem.com.my/highlight/images/penang/Exhibition1.jpg

2006 © UEM Group

Work on second Penang bridge to resume soon
By Audrey Dermawan, Marina Emmanuel and Sharen Kaur Published: 2008/01/19


Penang Chief Minister says the the bridge will be completed on schedule and open to the public by 2011

WORK on the second Penang bridge has not been stopped, but has been delayed for a few months to address issues regarding fishermen in the area, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon said yesterday.

"We are taking necessary measures to address the problem. I want to stress that the work has not been stopped, but only been delayed for a few months," he said.

Koh said despite the delay, he believes the bridge will be completed on schedule and open to the public by 2011.

Meanwhile, head of the task force for fast-track implementation of the second crossing project, Tan Sri Zaini Omar, said work should start to pick up again when certain equipment for dredging arrives before the end of the month.

"We were not able to get the equipment to fully comply with the requirements of the Department of Environment," Zaini told Business Times.

Zaini, who is the former director-general in the Works Ministry, said the project is expected to be completed on schedule by early 2011.

"We should be able to catch up with the work and remain on schedule," he said.

Zaini said the impact of the project on the livelihood of fishermen were being looked into.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UEM Builders Bhd said the delay does not impact the entire bridge project as only the dredging work on the sea area has been stopped.

The land portion and other related works are still ongoing, the spokesperson said via email.

"With the cooperation of all parties and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the sea (dredging works) will commence before the end of the month," the spokesperson said.

Port builder and bridge construction firm China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd is the main contractor for the iconic 24km bridge project, which will link Batu Maung on the island with Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai.

Upon completion, the bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, will be the longest in Southeast Asia.

Second Penang Bridge to be completed on schedule
by Regina William, 24 Jan 2008 11:42 AM

PENANG: The Second Penang Bridge would be completed on schedule by end-2010 and any differences involving the conceptual design would be resolved, hopefully by tomorrow, said the head of special task force for project, Tan Sri Zaini Omar.

Downplaying the differences of opinion between United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM) and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), which were awarded the project, he said yesterday he would be chairing the meeting tomorrow to finalise the design.

Zaini said even if the difference could not be resolved by tomorrow, the rest of the preliminary works including dredging and piling would continue.

“Even after we complete dredging, we can carry on with the piling while waiting for the detailed design of the bridge,” he said at a media briefing, adding they would go ahead with actual work on the bridge after the Chinese New Year.

On the differences of opinion, he said: “Since there is more than one designer, we have many opinions. There is only a slight difference in opinion. I believe that in the end, we will all go for best and practical situation and design.”

There were recent press reports about the dispute over the design of the bridge and could possibly delay the project.

However, Zaini said to date, the preliminary works were on schedule and there were no delays.

He said out of the 17km of the bridge which was above the sea, 5km was over deep waters and the rest over shallow waters. To date, over 10 million cubic metres of mud had been dredged.

On the stop-work order issued by the Department of Environment (DOE) last month due to the dredging, Zaini said the department gave the project conditional approval and allowed the mud to be dumped off Pulau Kendi. He added the DOE was monitoring the project.

On the legal suit filed by DCX Technologies two weeks ago, claiming the project had been hijacked by China Road and Bridge Corp, a unit of the China Communications Construction Group (CCCG) which also owns CHEC, Zaini said it would not affect the project.

“I am not aware of the suit, but if it is a dispute over the contract, it will not affect the progress of the project,” he added.

Bridge work halted to tackle fishermen's woes
NST Online 2008/01/18

http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2135367/insidepix1

Technical issues linke Piling work on the have forced a halt to work
to stop on the second Penang Bridge is halted temporarily.

KEPALA BATAS: Work on the second Penang bridge project was recently halted to address problems affecting the livelihood of fishermen in the area.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon yesterday said the piling works for the second crossing had affected the environment and subsequently, marine life.

He said although the state wished to expedite its construction, many issues, including technical ones, had surfaced.

"Work on the bridge had to be temporarily stopped because we had to settle the fishermen's problems," he said at the launch of the state-level integrity month at Dewan Millennium.

Koh said the move to halt piling works reflected the state administration's concern for issues affecting the people even if it was at the expense of slowing down development.

A steering committee, set up by the federal government to fast-track the construction of the second crossing from Penang island to Seberang Prai, was looking into the issue.

The high-powered committee, headed by former Works Ministry director-general Tan Sri Zaini Omar and chaired by Koh at the state level, also includes three state executive councillors, representatives of concessionaire company UEM Builders Bhd and the project's main contractor, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd.

Koh said the committee met on Tuesday to discuss the issue and find ways to address the loss of income by the fishermen and prawn breeders.

http://www.uem.com.my/highlight/images/penang/p2x.jpg

Fact Sheet:

- Overall length - 24 km
- Length over water - 17 km
- Main span : Length - 250 meters
- Height clearance (above water) – 30 meters
- Number of vehicle lanes – 2 + 1 for motorcycles (each direction)
- Targeted date to be opened to the public – January 2011
- Overall cost – Around RM3 billion
- Average time taken to drive from Batu Kawan to Batu Maung – 20 mins
- Proposed speed limit on bridge – 80 km/hour
- Percentage of local contents to be used - 60%
- Main features - Two viewing platforms to be built half-way along the bridge (above sea level)
- UEM Group Berhad was awarded the project, to be the concessionaire for Penang Second Crossing Bridge
- A consortium called UEMC-CHEC was formed to be the EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) contractor for the project, with 51 percent stake being CHEC and UEMC having remaining 49 percent
- China Exim Bank will provide US$800 million loan for this project

Cepco eyeing RM200mil job for Penang Bridge

KUALA LUMPUR: Concrete Engineering Products Bhd (Cepco) is confident of securing a contract worth about RM200mil to supply marine piles for the second Penang bridge project.

Cepco’s marine piles were successfully tested for the bridge project in July 2007, managing director Leong Kway Wah said.

“However, there is no indication yet. We have yet to hear if we are going to get the contract,” he said after the company AGM yesterday.

He added that Cepco was also eyeing jobs from projects to be rolled out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the various economic development corridors.

Leong was positive on the prospects for Cepco as the company was one of two players in the spun concrete piles market.

Cepco currently has an order book of about RM80mil that would keep the company busy for five to six months.

On new export markets, Leong said the company was in talks with parties in Canada.

“We have received enquiries from Canada on supplying materials for the construction of an indoor stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics,” he said.

He said the award of the contract would be confirmed by the end of this month.

At present, the company already exports concrete piles to Iran.

“Currently, we have an existing order to supply marine piles worth RM15mil for an ongoing project in Iran,” he said.

Leong said revenue contribution from exports contributed 15% to total group revenue.

“We would like to increase our export market share but have to consider the problem of logistics especially with the increase in the price of fuel, which has impacted transportation cost,” he said.

On the rising price of raw materials like steel and cement, Leong said that this would affect the company’s bottom line as the company was not able to transfer the cost to customers fast enough.

He said Cepco’s strategy would be to anticipate the higher prices and factor them into its prices as well as to source for cheaper raw materials from external suppliers.

Government to work with Penang on Second Link
Friday April 4, 2008
By DEVID RAJAH
TheStar

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Government has agreed to cooperate with the new Opposition-led Penang Government to complete the Second Link or second Penang Bridge project, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

Lim, who met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here yesterday, said Abdullah had told him that the Federal Government had no problems cooperating with the state government in implementing its development projects.

“We in Penang will also do whatever is necessary to speed up and ensure the project is completed on time,” said Lim, who spent more than 30 minutes with Abdullah.

He said Abdullah hoped to keep the cost of the bridge, which has escalated from RM2.7bil to RM3bil, low so that motorists would not be burdened by high toll upon its completion in 2011.

Lim said he had submitted a letter containing suggestions and proposals on more allocations and development programmes for the state to the prime minister.

“It is the hope of the Penang people that all development projects by the federal government will continue in the state,” he said,

To a question, he said: “He is my prime minister and I have come here for the first time on behalf of the people of Penang (to discuss state matters).”

He said his misunderstood statement on the New Economic Policy issue was also discussed.

To further clarify and put the matter to rest, Lim said that he planned to act against a particular newspaper for allegedly misinterpreting his statement made on March 11.

To another question, Lim said, the move to introduce the open tender system by the Penang Government was a directive of the Treasury.

Abdullah told Bernama after the meeting that he had advised Lim to be careful with his statements, as he is now the leader of a state government.

“He should not be a populist. I told him that we have been observing closely what is happening in Penang.”

He said Lim should not make sweeping statements equating the NEP with corruption as it would cause anger and misunderstanding.

On Lim’s proposal for an open tender system based on a level playing field, Abdullah reiterated that it might not be fair to groups that were disadvantaged.

Abdullah stressed that the tender process must be equitable.

Upen to prepare report on project
Saturday April 5, 2008
By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG

PENANG: The state government has directed the state Economic Planning Unit (Upen) to look into ways to expedite the construction of the second Penang bridge project.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he had directed Upen and other authorities to study steps to be taken and prepare a report on the matter.

He said the state would meet with the second bridge’s special task force head Tan Sri Zaini Omar next week and that in the meantime, he hoped to get a copy of report on the current status and position.

Lim said the directive was given after he met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putrajaya on Thursday to discuss state-federal relations.

“Before the meeting, we wanted to know what the situation would be. The Prime Minister has given assurance that the Federal Govern-ment would continue with all the infrastructure projects that were previously outlined, and that he hoped the delays in land acquisition for the second bridge project can be sorted out,” he said.

Lim also said the state government hoped that work on the expansion of the existing Penang Bridge would be completed as scheduled by August next year to cope with the increasing traffic volume until the second bridge opens in 2011.

He was speaking to reporters yesterday after a courtesy call by 20 members of the World Lim Clan Youth Association, led by its chief Datuk Lim Kah Chuan, at his office in Komtar here.

Asked if Penang would follow the Perak Government’s lead in issuing permanent land titles to all planned villages and new villages, Lim said the state would have to study the matter first.

Lim also said the state government had never made any allegation against his predecessor, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, regarding the ownership of a 1.52ha piece of land in Rifle Range.

He said Dr Koh should lodge a police report on the SMS rumour implicating him if he felt that he was wronged, adding that “we do not know how this matter arose, and who is making the allegation.”

Lim was responding to a call by Dr Koh’s former political secretary Mark Ooi for Lim to clarify the ownership of the land and put a stop to the false and malicious SMS.

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.

Second Penang bridge project extended
17 Apr 2008 11:11 AM

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.

Second Penang Bridge Delayed Due To Land Issue & Rising Costs
April 22, 2008 11:18 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the construction of the Second Penang Bridge will be delayed following problems getting the allocated land, the best design and increasing building costs.

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

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

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

He also explained that apart from the bridge, several other projects under the 9MP were being reviewed as well.

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

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

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

The bridge will be the longest in Malaysia and South East Asia once it is completed.

Last year, Malaysia and China signed a loan facility worth RM2.7 billion for the building of the bridge. The parties involved were the Government of Malaysia, Exim Bank from China and Bank Pembangunan (Malaysia) Bhd.

-- BERNAMA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penang's Second Bridge Preliminary Work Almost Completed
May 17, 2008 16:18 PM

PENANG, May 16 (Bernama) -- Preliminary work on Penang's second bridge, linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, is almost completed, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

He said there was a lot of preliminary work like surveying, site clearing, soil investigation, designing, testing and dredging to be done before the main construction of the 26-kilometre bridge could take off.

"Most of the preliminary work is near completion. The only one that is not actually completed is the dredging work which is now 34 per cent completed," he told a news conference here Saturday.

He said the state government hoped that the main construction could take off as soon as possible.

"We hope that the federal government can speed up because investors are also very interested to know about the pace of the construction," he said.

Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the proposed bridge, initially targeted for completion in 2011 on a RM3 billion budget, was experiencing delays due to escalating costs and problems in the design and land acquisition.

-- BERNAMA

http://queensbayshoppingmall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/qblocation.jpg

Second Penang bridge on track, cost may rise
By Chong Pooi Koon Published: 2008/06/10, BusinessTimes

The government has approved an increase in construction cost for the bridge but the mechanism and quantum are still to be worked out, says UEM Builders


UEM BUILDERS Bhd, a contractor for the second Penang bridge, said the project is on track for completion in 2011 and that the government has agreed in principle on a price increase as the cost of raw materials surges.

"The project value is at RM4.3 billion now. There will be a mechanism to take into consideration price rise and a formula will be worked out," managing director Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh said after a shareholder meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In general, he said, contractors should be allowed to raise project costs as the recent sharp jump in building material prices was far beyond any contractor's projection.

While the government said that it may stop certain mega projects in favour of more people-centric programmes, Ridza is positive that the project to build a second link from the mainland to Penang island will continue.

"If you read further on the Second Finance Minister's statement, he said that the Penang bridge may not be affected. We'd like to look at this positively," Ridza said.

He said the company has committed over RM200 million on the project and have spent RM50 million so far.

"As far as we are concerned, the preliminary work is going on. Some 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the land has been cleared and we have also done the advanced soil investigation," he said.

UEM Builders' current order book stands at RM4.8 billion, 35 per cent of which is from overseas. Chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar said it is aiming for a balanced earnings mix to cut reliance on domestic projects.

He said the company hopes to increase its activities in India and the Middle East while it pursues new construction and infrastructure projects in Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

State seeks answers to rocketing cost of bridge
Friday June 13, 2008
By ANDREA FILMER, TheStar


GEORGE TOWN: The cost of the second Penang bridge has ballooned from RM2.7bil to RM4.5bil within a year and the Penang Government wants an explanation.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there was no reason for such a huge increase as the official inflation rate in 2007 was 2.3%.

“The Federal Government says there is a 2% inflation rate but they have allowed a 60% increase of about RM1.6bil for the second bridge.

“If the inflation rate is 2%, then the cost of the bridge should only rise by 2%, and if inflation is truly at 60%, then our salaries should be raised 60%,” Lim said after opening a building exhibition at the Penang Interna-tional Sports Arena.

He said the Federal Government had to explain the steep increase in costs as Penangites would eventually have to bear the expense through toll rates.

When asked about the rising cost of raw materials such as steel, Lim said the producer price inflation was set at about 5% last year.

“The rise in the price of raw materials would also have been included in the inflation rate.”

On talk of the Federal Govern-ment opening up the second Penang bridge project for tender, Lim said he supported the move as it produced the best and most competitive price.

“If the Federal Government plans to review the project and introduce open tender, the state is 100% behind the move,” he said.

The project was awarded last year to UEM World Bhd which formed a joint venture with China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) to build the second bridge.

Asked whether the state was planning to follow in the footsteps of Selangor by distributing free water, Lim said the state had no plans to do so as the Penang water rates were among the lowest in the country.

“When things are cheap, people tend to waste and Penang has one of the highest water consumption rates in the country,” he said, adding however, that there were no plans to raise state water rates for the next two years.

Penang wants seat on 2nd bridge tender board
By Regina William, 13 Jun 2008 2:24 PM
THEEDGEDAILY

PENANG: The Penang state government should be allowed to sit on the open tender board if the federal goverment decided to call for an open tender for the toll collection and management of the Second Penang Bridge, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

It would be a step in the right direction as Penangites should be represented in the decision-making process, he told The Edge Financial Daily .
Lim was responding to a Malaysian Insider report that the governmet has decided against awarding the concession to manage and collect toll to UEM Group Bhd.

UEM is jointly constructing the bridge, due for completion in 2011, with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

According to the report, the management and collection of toll for the second crossing would be decided through open tender, and the winning party would have to share revenue with the government. The decision was said to have been reached at a high-level meeting among Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit officials on Wednesday.

“The Penang state government should have a say in this. It is only fair since mostly Penangites will be the ones paying the toll.

“The people must know what are the conditions for the open tender, and it must be a proper tender process, not one where “selected” parties are awarded the tender. It must be done in a transparent manner, only then will the people be convinced of the government’s transparency in this tender process,” Lim said.

He also called on the federal government to explain why the cost of the second bridge escalated from RM2.7 billion in 2007 to RM4.3 billion this year.

Lim said an increase of RM1.6 billion in a year was “frightening”.

He said while the government maintained that last year’s inflation rate was 2.3%, he could not understand why the cost of the bridge went up by 60%.

“On one hand, the government says the inflation rate is 2%, but allows the increase of costs for the bridge by 60%. Then rightfully, inflation percentage would also be 60% and the government should increase salaries by 60% as well,” Lim added.

Saying that the high cost of building the bridge would eventually tax Penangites, Lim said the government should also reconsider an open tender for the construction of the bridge or use 5% of Petronas profits to build the bridge.

“The bridge project has to proceed but the government must explain why it is so expensive. There must be cost rationalisation, and an open tender to obtain the most competitive price would be the best way to do this,” he said.

Minister affirms UEM role in second Penang bridge
By Roziana Hamsawi Published: 2008/06/20, BusinessTimes

CONSTRUCTION firm UEM Builders Bhd is still the contractor for the second Penang bridge project, says Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

However, he declined to comment on reports that the company would not be managing and collecting toll.

"The Economic Planning Unit will discuss and issue a statement in due course.

"On the structure of constructing the bridge, at this point in time certainly, UEM is on as the contractor," he said yesterday.

Nor Mohamed was speaking to reporters after delivering his keynote address at the Malaysia Islamic Capital Market Conference 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.

An online news report had quoted unnamed government sources as saying that the toll concession portion of the project would be decided through open tender and the winning party would have to share the revenue with the government.

The report added that the move could save the government up to RM18 billion over 45 years and result in greater flexibility in levying toll charges.

UEM, meanwhile, had said recently that the 24km bridge was expected to be completed by 2011 and that initial construction work had begun.

It also said that the government had approved an increase in the construction cost above the original estimate of RM4.3 billion due to rising prices of oil and building materials.[/QUOTE]

UEM to sign new 2nd Penang bridge pact
By Zuraimi Abdullah Published: 2008/06/26, BusinessTimes


The new deal will cap the project's total cost at RM4.3 billion and call for an open tender of the bridge's toll concession

UEM Group, together with its Chinese partner, expects to sign a new agreement to build the second Penang bridge next month, its top executives said.

The new contract will cap the project's total cost at RM4.3 billion but the UEM-China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd consortium can claim extra expenses from fluctuating material costs, they said.

The new deal follows the government's decision to allow for an open tender of the bridge's toll concession, amid rising costs due to soaring energy and commodity prices worldwide. The move reversed the original plan to let UEM, via subsidiary UEM Builders Bhd, manage the concession once the bridge is completed.

"The (new) contract agreement has been finalised and we hope to sign it soon," group chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said.

Tajuddin and managing director Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said the group was managing the construction cost partly through forward- and pre-buying of key materials like steel and cement.

They said the group was well poised to bid for the toll concession when the time comes. UEM is bullish about its chances, given its experience and expertise in highway and toll operation and maintenance locally and abroad.

Tajuddin and Ahmad Pardas were speaking at a press conference after UEM World Bhd's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Ahmad Pardas, who is also group chief executive officer, said the bridge's design had been tweaked with some "esthetic changes" but the alignment remains as in the original plan.

Tajuddin, meanwhile, said the listing of the group's property arm, UEM Land Bhd, is expected to take place in early November. The listing is part of the UEM group's restructuring announced in February this year.

The planned capital repayment to UEM group shareholders, another key component of the restructuring, should be made by the third quarter, he added.

On revenue growth this year, Ahmad Pardas said the target set under its KPI (key performance indicator) is achievable despite a more challenging business and economic environment.

He added that construction, engineering, healthcare and property divisions would continue to contribute significantly to the company's performance.

UEM announced recently a 13 per cent growth each in revenue and return on equity under its KPI targets for the year ending December 2008.

Last year, the group's revenue grew 46 per cent to nearly RM7 billion, although the growth is still short of its targeted 65 per cent under its KPI. Group net profit rose fourfold to RM939.2 million from RM194.9 million previously.

The performance was largely due to major land sales in Nusajaya in Johor, the benefits from the dilution of its investment in Costain plc and a gain of the listing of Opus International Consultants Ltd in New Zealand.

Guan Eng Wants Federal Govt To Quickly Approve Penang Second Link
June 28, 2008 19:06 PM

PENANG, June 28 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has asked the federal government not to delay approval for the Penang second bridge project.

He said the federal government had not given the nod for the final agreement for the RM4.3 billion bridge though preliminary work had started.

"We want construction work to start soon so that construction cost will not escalate further and make the bridge more expensive," he told reporters after meeting China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd president Sun Ziyu and managing director Lu Yan.

The 24km bridge is joint-venture between UEM Builders Bhd and China Harbour Engineering.

Guan Eng, however, agreed with the government's decision for the bridge's toll rates be decided via open tender.

"How many people using the bridge will determine how fast we can recover back the construction cost," he said, adding that it would also depend on the toll charges collected for vehicles.

Guan Eng said he expected the bridge linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland to be completed by end of 2011.

On another issue, Guan Eng was furious over the remarks by his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon for accusing him of sending confusing signals to the federal government about what the state government want for Penang.

Describing Koh's comments as "insensible", he said: "Koh should not blame it on me for the Penang monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road to be put on hold as I am not the one who made the decision."

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop had given their assurance the federal government would continue to implement mega projects planned in the state.

"I never said the Pakatan Rakyat-led states would not want these projects to continue. Instead of blaming us, Koh should advise Abdullah as he is the one making the decision," he added.

-- BERNAMA

SECOND PENANG BRIDGE ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION BY 2011

Bernama - Thursday, July 3

PENANG, July 2 (Bernama) -- Preliminary work on the construction of the RM4.58 billion second Penang bridge has started and it is on track to be completed as originally planned by 2011.

"We expect the main construction will take off early next year," said UEM Group Bhd's managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin.

He said RM200 million had been committed for the construction cost of 26-kilometre bridge.

Ahmad Pardas said the casting yard located in Batu Kawan was in advanced stage of completion and would be used to produce box girders, the critical component of the bridge.

He said progress had been made in terms of completing soil investigation, pile testing and construction of Batu Kawan site office.

Originally, the bridge was estimated to cost RM3.6 bilion but this was then revised upward to reflect the escalation of costs due to rising prices of oil and building materials, Ahmad Pardas said.

"I would like to clarify here that the original costing for the whole project is RM3.6 billion and not RM2.7 billion, which was actually referred to the cost of building the 17-kilometre bridge span over water," he told reporters during a media visit to the Batu Kawan site here today.

"The price of building materials today is higher. The real cost depends on the respective building material costs. In the future, if the price of the building materials drops, the cost of construction may go down as well," he said.

The project is being undertaken by UEM Builders, a member of the UEM Group, under a joint venture with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.

Identified as one of the major infrastructural projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the northern region, the bridge is slated to become a regional icon and serve as a strong growth catalyst for the Northern Corridor development. -- BERNAMA

2nd Penang bridge's cost may breach RM5b
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2008/07/03, BusinessTimes

The total cost has escalated to RM4.59 billion from RM3.6 billion, says UEM Group, adding that it can pass on extra costs if the prices of raw materials go up further

UEM Group Bhd, the main contractor of the second Penang bridge, says the total cost of the project is now RM4.59 billion, but it can even breach RM5 billion if prices of raw materials rise further.

"The costs of these items can only be determined as and when we procure them," managing director Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin told reporters during a site visit at Batu Kawan on mainland Penang.

The bulk of the cost, or RM3.32 billion, is for the portion of the bridge over water, followed by RM997 million for the portion over land. Another RM285 million is for the design, concept and preliminary works that was agreed with the government.

However, UEM can pass on additional costs if the price of materials like steel, is higher.

"I believe that without the fluctuation clause (in an agreement signed between UEM and the government), no organisation will be willing to start any construction because you will definitely be running at a loss," said Ahmad Pardas.

"I would also like to clarify that the original costing for the whole project is RM3.6 billion and not RM2.7 billion as reported by some media previously.

"The RM2.7 billion was actually referred to the cost of building the 17km-bridge span over water. As the construction of a bridge would also include those built on land, another RM900 million should also be included in the original costing as it was allocated to build expressways, interchange and toll plazas," Ahmad Pardas added.

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 China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd as its main contractor.

UEM Group now holds the concession for the first Penang bridge. Under that agreement, UEM could seek compensation if a second bridge was built.

However, Ahmad Pardas declined to say what UEM is planning to do, saying there are many ways to deal with the issue.

UEM Group also yesterday indicated its intention to tender for the concession rights of the second bridge.

"The company has the experience and knowledge as its is currently managing two important crossings which are the Penang Bridge and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

"All these will definitely help justify why UEM Group should be the most suitable party ...," Ahmad Pardas said.

Meanwhile, UEM is set to buy 112ha of land in Batu Kawan and Batu Maung for the project. It is expected to pay a total of RM57 million in compensation to affected parties which include private land owners and Penang Development Corp.

Bridge project right on schedule
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/3/nation/n_03bridge.jpg

Ongoing project: A general view of the casting yard
for the second Penang bridge in Batu Kawan Wednesday.

NIBONG TEBAL: The second Penang bridge will be completed in 2011 as scheduled, and the cost will be RM4.5bil.

UEM Group Berhad managing director and chief executive officer Ahmad Pardas Senin said the commonly quoted figure of RM3.6bil was only for the cost of the construction of the bridge over water.

This did not take into account the RM900mil needed to construct the 7km expressway linking it to the North South Expressway.

He explained that there was a price fluctuation clause to account for price changes in building materials and it did not necessarily mean that the final cost would be higher than the estimate because the clause took into consideration prices of building materials going up or down.

Ahmad Pardas said he believed that without the fluctuation clause, no organisation would be willing to start any construction because it would definitely be running at a loss.

“We are committed to completing the job by the end of 2011,” he told a press conference at the project site office here, after a site visit with the media yesterday.

He said the cost of building the bridge now stood at RM4.585bil, including RM285mil in development cost.

“The price of steel has increased by 60% and while fuel went up by 40%. The cost of building the bridge has only gone up by 10.4%,” he said.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had last month asked the Federal Government to explain why the cost of the second Penang bridge project had ballooned from RM2.7bil to RM4.5bil within a year, saying that an explanation was necessary because Penangites would eventually have to bear the expense through toll rates.

Ahmad Pardas clarified that the original cost for the whole project was RM3.6bil and not RM2.7bil as reported in the media.

He said work to build the bridge had not stopped since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony in November 2006.

The project is undertaken by UEM and Chinese Harbour Engineering Company, which holds a 51% stake and the rest by UEM.

Ahmad Pardas said UEM would spend RM57mil to acquire about 113ha of land belonging to individuals and the Penang Development Corporation for the project.

Penang 2nd bridge project already generating spin-offs
By Lokman Mansor Published: 2008/07/25, BusinessTimes


THE Penang Second Crossing Bridge (P2X) project, which is scheduled to open to the public by 2011, has already started generating value-added and positive spin-offs, UEM Group Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said.

He said work had actually commenced from the day Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi laid the first piling during the ground breaking ceremony in November 2006, and had not stopped since then.

"To date, we have extended opportunities to more than 40 subcontractors to participate in various preparatory works at this early phase. Some 30 consultants have already started working on the project.

"As the project progresses forward, we will definitely engage more local contractors to participate in this prestigious project," he said in a statement.

Pardas said P2X will increase job opportunities for locals, as well as contribute towards upgrading knowledge and skills of students in local tertiary institutions so that they can be hired and given choice incentives to work in the high-tech project.

UEM signed memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Higher Education to assist in upgrading community colleges, especially in Penang - as a major initiative to develop knowledge workers and also develop human capital.

The group also provides training and guidance to local vendors so that they will have the required knowledge and skills to undertake projects of such magnitude.

"Via our UEM Young Executive Scheme (UEM YES), 200 young engineers and technical professionals will be selected to work on this project," Pardas added.

He said the group has outlined many corporate social responsibility initiatives including partnerships with local schools. So far it has adopted eight schools in Penang under the Pintar Programme, six via UEM Builders and two via Time Engineering.

UEM Group has already committed more than RM200 million for the P2X project. The total cost of the project has escalated to RM4.5 billion due to the increasing price of materials and fuel. Construction on sea is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2008.

"We have made significant progress by completing soil investigation (on land and sea), pile testing and the construction of the Batu Kawan site office.

"The casting yard, located in Batu Kawan, is in the advanced stage of completion and will be used to produce segment box girders which is the most critical component of the bridge," he said.

Pardas said the project is one of the main catalysts for the development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region that encompasses Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Northern Perak.

"It will help spur socio-economic activities, contribute towards bridging island and mainland communities, and of course solve traffic congestion on the existing Penang Bridge," he said.

UEM Builders seeks govt clarification on Penang bridge work scope
06-08-2008: by Mohd Yuzam Yusa THEEDGEDAILY

KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Builders Bhd said that the scope of work awarded to it by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKPP), the company that owns the Second Penang Bridge, over-lapped with the scope of work being negotiated by its parent company, UEM Group Bhd, with the government.

In a statement to Bursa yesterday, UEM Builders said that its parent company UEM Group Bhd (UEMG) was in negotiations with the government pursuant to an earlier decision made by the government to award the project to UEM group on a concession (build-operate-transfer) basis.

“We understand from UEM Group that the government has not withdrawn its instructions to them (UEM Group). As this matter may result in substantive contractual consequences, we will seek clarification from the government. In the meantime, we are not in the position to comment further on this subject but will stand guided by the government’s decision,” said UEM Builders.

Last year, the government awarded the Second Penang Bridge project to UEM Group on a concession basis. UEM group subsequently awarded the construction of the job to a joint-venture of Chinese Harbour Construction Company (CHEC) and UEM Builders with the former holding 51%. Both parties were supposed to firm up a shareholders’ agreement but could not do so as they did not see eye-to-eye on certain matters pertaining to the apportionment of cost.

The Edge Weekly reported that the government has established JKPP to award the constracts direct to the companies and oversee the construction. It was reported that CHEC was awarded a RM2.3 billion job while UEM Builders got an award for a RM1.3 billion job, much lower than the estimated RM2.2 billion it was supposed to get.

UEM Builders confirmed that had it received a letter from JKPP on July 30 informing that it had taken over the duties of the Special Task Force and offered certain works on the Second Penang Crossing Bridge project to UEM Builders.

UEM Builders H1 profit up
Published: 2008/08/09 BusinessTimes

UEM Builders Bhd’s pre-tax profit for the six months ended June 30, 2008 rose to RM57.19 million from RM56.7 million in the same period last year.

Revenue, however, fell to RM1.12 billion from RM1.37 billion in the previous year’s corresponding period.

In a statement in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, managing director, Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh, said the higher pre-tax profit was achieved despite a challenging business condition of rising fuel and material costs and a reduction in revenue.

“We will endeavour to work towards our targets in a challenging business environment that has affected all contractors including our group. The impact on our group has been mitigated by contractual measures taken previously to reduce the burden of price escalations,” he said.

He said the group was positive of its continuing involvement in the Penang Second Crossing Bridge project.

“As stated previously, our group has committed more than RM200 million on the project to ensure its timely completion and this commitment is reflected in the near completion of the casting yard plant for the segmental box girders to be used on the bridge structure and other enabling works.

“The casting yard is the launching pad for the project. With the plant 73 per cent completed, we believe we have contributed significantly to enable the project to progress smoothly to the next stage of construction,” he said. — Bernama

UEM presses on with bridge job
19-08-2008: by Yong Yen Nie & Sakinah Latif THEEDGEDAILY

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the government having announced that the construction of the Second Penang Bridge is to be supervised by a Special-Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), UEM Group Bhd said that it would proceed with the construction of the bridge on a concession basis.

UEM Group managing director Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin said the group has yet to receive an official notification from the government on the rescission of the agreement signed in November 2006.

"We have already run ahead with the construction work, as we have agreed to complete the project by 2011 (and) the group has incurred more than RM200 million for the construction work to date," he told a media briefing after UEM World Bhd’s EGM here yesterday.

According to Ahmad Pardas, the expenditure incurred was mainly for yard casting, that is preparing the ground work for the project.

However, he said as the Second Penang Bridge was still a federal government project, the government was free to rescind the agreement it had with UEM Group.

In June, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop confirmed reports that the concession element of the bridge has been detached from the construction side.

Subsequently, the government established the SPV, Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (JKPP), to undertake the project. The SPV awarded jobs to the two main contractors of the bridge - UEM Builders Bhd and China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC).

Ahmad Pardas said UEM Group was not in a position to accept or reject the recent offer from JKPP as the letter of offer was addressed to UEM Builders Bhd. "It’s their (UEM Builders) position to reply to JKPP," he said.

He stressed that UEM Group did not want to speculate whether it should seek compensation if its agreement with the government lapsed, until it had received concrete details on the changes in the agreement.

On Aug 4, The Edge weekly reported that the government had set up JKPP to award the contracts direct to the companies and oversee the construction. It was reported that CHEC was awarded a RM2.3 billion job while UEM Builders got an award for a RM1.3 billion job, much lower than the estimated RM2.2 billion it was supposed to get.

In a reply to a query by Bursa Malaysia on Aug 5, UEM Builders confirmed that it had received a letter from JKPP on July 30 informing it that the SPV formed by the government had taken over the duties of the Special Task Force and offered certain works on the bridge to the company.

However, it said it would seek clarification from the government on the matter as the scope of work awarded to it by JKPP overlapped with that being negotiated by its parent company, UEM Group Bhd, with the government.

The government had, in November 2006, awarded UEM Group a contract to construct and manage the Second Penang Bridge for RM2.7 billion. UEM Group subsequently awarded the construction job to a joint venture (JV) of CHEC and UEM Builders, with the former holding 51% in the JV.

However, by April this year, the cost had ballooned to some RM4.3 billion due to rising raw material prices.

WORK ON 2ND PENANG BRIDGE IS STILL GOING ON, SAYS UEM
Bernama - Tuesday, August 19

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) – Construction works on the Second Penang Bridge are still going on, says the UEM Group, adding that two years of work worth RM200 million has already been done.

“The construction work continues. So far, at UEM Group Bhd, there has been no specific...formal instruction to do otherwise,” said UEM Group managing director, Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin to reporters after UEM World Bhd's extraordinary general meeting here today.

“UEM Builders still have a contract with us,” he added when was asked on the progress of the project.

Some confusion had set in when UEM Builders Bhd received a letter from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKPP), the company that owns the Second Penang Bridge, on July 30, informing that it had taken over the duties of the Special Task Force and offered certain works on the project to UEM Builders.

The government, however, had awarded the project to UEM Group last year on a concession basis whereby UEM Group subsequently awarded the construction of the job to a joint venture of Chinese Harbour Construction Company (CHEC) and UEM Builders with the former holding 51 percent.

“UEM Group did not receive the letter. That letter was sent to UEM Builders and UEM Builders have already replied in a query to Bursa Malaysia,” he said.

UEM Builders, meanwhile, in filing to Bursa Malaysia on Aug 6 said the scope of work awarded to it by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd was over-lapping with the scope of work being negotiated by its parent company, UEM Group, with the government.

UEM Builders said UEM Group was in negotiations with the government pursuant to an earlier decision made by the government to award the project to UEM group on a concession (build-operate-transfer) basis.

Asked if UEM Group would ask for compensation if the government totally revoked the project, Ahmad Pardas said, “I don’t want to speculate."

“At the end of the day it is a government project. We will always respect. The government has full right to which way they want the project to be." He added that the group was grateful to have been chosen as a party to undertake the project.

The project is expected to be completed in 2011.

“We have done two years work. If we waited until everything is in place, nothing could have been done. We would not have been able to fulfill our undertaking by 2011,” Ahmad Pardas said.

He also added that if the company is able to progress with all things in place, it would be able to keep the momentum.

Elsewhere, Ahmad Pardas said the discussion on adjustment of toll rates nationwide was ongoing.

“We will always work and support whatever the government wants to do," he said, adding that nevertheless there would be issues to be addressed if there are to be any changes. -- BERNAMA

UEM yet to hear from govt on Penang Bridge
05-08-2008: THEEDGEDAILY

PETALING JAYA: UEM Builders Bhd is awaiting word from the government on the developments pertaining to the Second Penang Bridge, said UEM Group chief executive Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin.

“We are unable to make any comments now. We are still waiting for statements from the government,” he told The Edge Financial Daily.

He was asked to respond to questions on the possibility of the government forming a special purpose vehicle to take over the bridge project and UEM Builder’s contract sum being slashed by RM900 million.

Last Saturday, The Edge weekly reported that the government has formed a special purpose vehicle, Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (JKPP) to undertake the project as UEM Builders and China Harbour Engineering Co (CHEC) — the two main contractors for the job — have so far failed to firm up their shareholders agreement.

It was reported that JKPP had also awarded CHEC a contract of about RM2.3 billion and UEM Builder another contract worth RM1.3 billion.

Affin Investment Research said if the news was true, it would have negative impact on UEM Builders, especially when the project comes with a materials costs fluctuation clause to protect UEM Builders’ construction margin.

“On a broader perspective, the loss of contracts to well-connected companies, if true, might cast more negative light on GLCs (government-linked companies),” it added.

Meanwhile, Regina William reports that the state government was in the dark over the latest developments for the Second Penang Bridge project.

“We are not aware of what is happening and what we know is through the report,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. “Since this is federal government project, it is up to the federal government to decide on the mechanism. But if there is a request, we will assist in coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies to speed up whatever needs to be implemented.”

No toll deal for UEM at new Penang bridge
Published: 2008/08/05

UEM Builders Bhd, the main builder of a second bridge in Penang, won't get the contract to collect road tolls at the site, according to Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop yesterday.

"The government decided about a month ago to set up a special-purpose vehicle to collect the tolls," Nor Mohamed told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Under a new contract, the developers will just build the bridge.

Penang is home to manufacturers including Dell Inc and needs an additional bridge to relieve traffic congestion. China Harbour Engineering Co will work with UEM Builders to build the 23km link from the mainland to the island after the Export-Import Bank of China agreed to lend Malaysia US$800 million (RM2.62 billion) for the project, the Chinese company said last year.

UEM said in June the government had agreed to raise the cost of the RM4.3 billion project on higher raw material prices. The bridge is due for completion in 2011, UEM said. - Bloomberg

UEM given ultimatum on second Penang bridge
Tuesday September 16, 2008 MYT 7:45:20 PM By TAN SIN CHOW TheStar

GEORGE TOWN: Take it or leave it! That’s the ultimatum given to UEM Builders Bhd by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established by the Government to supervise and fast track the second Penang bridge project.

JKSB managing director Tan Sri Zaini Omar said UEM had been given a two-week grace period, effective from Monday, to accept the terms for the construction of the project.

Under the terms, a RM1.3bil contract will be awarded to UEM, one of the three contractors for the project.

“That’s the offer, and if they do not accept, we have to look at other means.

“We will call for a restricted tender if UEM does not accept our offer,” he said at the briefing on the latest progress of the project at Komtar here on Tuesday.

It is learnt that UEM did not accept the offer as the contract rendered was not financially viable.

On another matter, Zaini said they saved more than RM300mil after re-designing the structure of the bridge.

He said 5% of the work had already started, with dredging being carried out and temporary jetties set up at the Batu Maung site.

“Construction work will be in full swing within two months once details have been finalised with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) by end of the month,” he said.

The Chinese company is another contractor awarded a RM2.3bil contract to build the sub-structures of the bridge.

It is responsible for the marine work, piling and construction of the main span.

“Any construction carried out below the bridge will be handled by CHEC,” he said, adding that the signing of the agreement is expected to take place by end of October.

A third contractor will be appointed through restricted tender and given a RM750mil contract for works carried out at the land portion of the bridge in Batu Maung and Batu Kawan.

He said the project, which was scheduled to commence in June last year, was behind schedule and is now expected to be completed within 40 months or the end of 2011.

Zaini said the cost was still priced at RM4.3bil but this would depend on the fluctuating prices of fuel, cement and steel, adding that the JKSB might also tender the operation once the bridge is completed.

Zaini said the toll for the second bridge will be the same as the Penang Bridge or even lower.

UEM Bhd loses second Penang Bridge concessionaire bid
Tue, 16 Sep 2008 by Himanshu Bhatt sun2surf (http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=25712)

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/25712/sisecondbridge3.jpg

Chief minister Lim Guan Eng (left) discussing project plans for the second
Penang Bridge with JambatanKedua Sdn Bhd managing director
Tan Sri Zaini Omar.

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 16, 2008): The federal government has withdrawn the letter of intent (LOI) to UEM Bhd to be the concessionaire for the second Penang Bridge project, and made a new offer for the company to build just the bridge's superstructure.

This follows the appointment of Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB), a special purpose vehicle of the Finance Ministry, as the concession holder for the project.

JKSB managing director Tan Sri Zaini Omar said the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) sent the letter to UEM rescinding the LOI a week ago.

UEM has also been given two weeks from Monday to take up the new offer to build the superstructure at RM 1.3 billion.

“We have set a ceiling. We have offered to them, it is now up to them,” said Zaini, who heads the special task force for the project, in a meeting with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

"If not, it will be opened to a restricted tender process. Of course, UEM can participate in this tender."

The project, which is a year behind schedule with only 5% completed, is now estimated to cost RM4.3 billion.

UEM Bhd had announced in July that the cost of the 24km-long bridge had risen to RM4.585 billion.

Zaini said several cost-cutting measures, totalling about RM300 million, had been adopted recently. These included substituting plans for a clover-leaf interchange in Batu Kawan on the mainland to a diamond-shaped one.

Plans for a viewing deck, as well as a rest and service area, have also been cancelled.

Zaini added that works for the substructure and main span of the bridge have been offered to China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC).

The substructure works include piling activities, while the main span works include constructing a cable-stay system similar to the current Penang Bridge.

The third agreement for works on the land portions on the island and mainland will be offered to a new company through a restricted tender.

The restricted tender, open to only five companies, is necessary as the time frame for the project is now very short, Zaini said. The bridge is now expected to be completed by late 2011.

The bridge is to be built with a US$800 million (RM2.76 billion) loan from China Exim Bank, while the balance will be either sought from local banks or funded by the government.

Zaini, the former Public Works Department director-general, said that this was the "scariest" project he had ever undertaken.

"We are committed to run this project," he stressed, however, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has instructed him to ensure the bridge is completed on time at the minimum cost possible.

He also said vehicle fares for the new bridge will be the same as those for the current Penang Bridge. The amount per car had earlier been set at RM9.40, but may be reduced to comply with that of the existing bridge which is charging RM7, he added.

He however did not discount the possibility that the current bridge price would be increased.

Zaini assured there will be transparency and will publish rates negotiated with the companies.

The government is also negotiating compensation, said to be about RM2.9 million, for five cockle farmers who have to make way for the project, he added.

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/25712/sisecondbridge5.jpg

An artist's impression of the new design for the second Penang bridge.

2nd Penang bridge deal signed
by Regina William, 24 Oct 2008 12:50 PM THEEDGEDAILY

GEORGE TOWN: Construction works on the Penang Second Crossing will proceed with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) carrying on with the substructure and mainspan jobs starting from November.

This follows the finalisation of the RM2.2 billion contract to CHEC which was inked recently, according to JKSB Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Sri Zaini Omar.

He also said that the superstructure portion worth RM1.3 billion was still pending as UEM Builders Bhd had yet to agree to the terms of the offer.

JKSB is the special vehicle unit set up by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to handle the Penang Second Crossing project which has been plagued with problems since it was launched a couple of years ago.

The project was initially given to UEM Group which subsequently awarded the construction job to CHEC and UEM Builder, its subsidiary. However, the project could not get off the ground because of issues related to apportionment of cost.

UEM Builder is firm on its stand that its portion of building the superstructure is not viable at RM1.3 billion and seeking a higher price of about RM1.5 billion. Alternatively it is prepared to carry out CHEC's portion of the job at the stated price of RM2.2 billion.

The government has capped the project at RM4.3 billion but with a variation of price (VOP) option in the event of rise in the costs of materials.

"We will give them until next week. They have asked for further information from us, including detailed government requirement, design brief and other details. Most of what they have asked actually is what they already know as they have been involved in the project over the past three years.

"If they agree to take on the project, they would lag about five to six months behind CHEC but it does not matter as their work specification will only be carried out after CHEC carries out the substructure portion of the project," Zaini told The Edge Financial Daily.

Zaini said if UEM failed to respond by next week, whether they are taking up the project or otherwise, JKSB will wait for the government to decide on the next course of action.

"If they want to negotiate with us on the initial offer made to them, I will forward their demands to the board which will decide on the matter," he added.

Besides the substructure, mainspan and superstructure jobs, another RM800 million in land works will also be offered via restricted tender.

A few weeks ago, during a briefing to the Penang state government, Zaini had said that the superstructure works offered to UEM will be open via restricted tender if UEM did not want to take up the offer.

Firm to start work on second Penang bridge
Monday November 3, 2008 TheStar

THE Chinese construction firm awarded the contract to build the base of the second Penang bridge would start work next week, Sin Chew Daily quoted China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Liu Jian as saying this.

Despite the global financial crisis, construction of the bridge would proceed after several problems were resolved, he said at a dinner organised by the Federation of Malaysia China Trade Associations on Saturday.

He added that he would be visiting Penang to witness the commencement of the construction work.

Liu said the commencement of project during the financial crisis showed the good relationship between China and Malaysia, adding that Malaysia played a crucial role in trade and investment in China.

The bilateral trade between the two countries had reach US$55bil (RM195bil), he said, making Malaysia China’s largest trading partner in Asean, the daily reported. Work on the 22.5km bridge is scheduled to start on Nov 8 and completed in 42 months.

>The whereabouts of private investigator P. Balasubrama-

niam and his family were still unknown, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.

According to the daily, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Syed Albar, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and even relatives of Balasubramaniam did not know where the family was, while Immigration Department sources said that he had left the country.

Counsel Kamarul Hisham, defending Special Action Force operative C/Insp Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, who was ordered to enter his defence in the murder case of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, had told the High Court that he would be recalling Balasubramaniam.

The daily also quoted one of Balasubramaniam’s nephews as saying that his uncle occasionally called him but did not know where he was.

> Other News & Views is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a sub-heading, it denotes a separate news item.

Work on sea portion of second Penang bridge begins
Sunday November 9, 2008 By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG TheStar

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/11/9/nation/n_03jetty.jpg

Work starts: The temporary jetty in Batu Maung built by China Harbour to
facilitate logistics support for the building of the second Penang Bridge, such
as the construction materials, plant and equipment, and construction workers.

GEORGE TOWN: Construction has begun on the 16.37km sea portion of the 23km-long second Penang Bridge which will have a middle cable stayed span much like the present Penang Bridge.

The two viewing platforms that formed the “pearl” in the original design have been scrapped.

China Harbour Engineering Company, which was awarded the letter of acceptance on Oct 20 for the first of three packages, began its work yesterday and is scheduled to complete the project by May 7, 2012.China Harbour’s RM2.2bil contract for the first package covers the design and building of the main navigation span, which is a 475m-long cable stayed bridge, and the substructure and foundation works of the 15.9km approach spans.

The bridge will have a dual carriageway with two lanes and a motorcycle lane on each side. Its width will be 29.8m for the approach spans and 35.6m for the main navigation span.

Speed limit has been fixed at 80kph, just as on the present bridge.

China Harbour’s managing director Sun Ziyu said that the RM2.2bil contract was RM100mil lower than the original tender price of RM2.3bil.

He said the main reason for the lower contract was the decision by the project’s special task force in January to do away with viewing platforms.

He said another reason was the final contract allowed for variation of price (VOP) for base material such as fuel, cement and steel, and re-measurement of the piling works.

At the ceremony to mark the commencement of work at the Batu Maung site, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng hoped the construction would be completed ahead of schedule by end of 2011.

Work begins on Second Bridge
NST Online » Local News 2008/11/09
By : Sharanjit Singh

http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2397269/insidepix1

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (right) with Chinese Trade Commissioner
to Malaysia Gao Wen Kuan after the launch of the project site office and
jetty in Batu Maung

GEORGE TOWN: Construction of the Second Penang Bridge by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) finally started yesterday.

The RM4.3 billion bridge was scheduled to be ready by 2011 but the project has been delayed by more than a year due to unresolved issues among parties involved in the project.

CHEC now projects the completion date to be in May 2012.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who opened the project site office and temporary jetty in Batu Maung here yesterday, described the second bridge as a "bridge of hope" for Penang.

Lim said the project would boost the state's economy, especially in the industrial sector, and help authorities better manage the traffic on the island.
"It is indeed a historic moment for the people of Penang as the second bridge project has finally started."

Present at the ceremony were Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) managing director, Tan Sri Zaini Omar, Chinese Trade commissioner to Malaysia, Gao Wen Kuan, and China Harbour managing director Sun Ziyu.

At the peak of its construction, about 100 vessels and 12 piling rigs will be deployed and 1,500 people will be working non-stop on three eight-hour shifts.

The sea portion of the bridge will be built, spanning 16.37km over water, at a cost of RM2.2 billion.

The amount is RM100 million less than the original tender price as the new bridge design has done away with the two viewing platforms which were originally planned.

The cost was also reduced as the final contract between CHEC and JKSB allows for variation of price for base materials like fuel, cement and steel, and the re-measurement of piling work, both of which were originally the most uncertain risks to be borne by CHEC.

Now, both parties will share the risk and benefits together.

CHEC will be reimbursed if there is an increase in the price of materials, and it will revise the contract price accordingly if there is a drop in prices.

Sun said the project had become not just any design-and-build task but a "sacred political mission" entrusted to the company by leaders of Malaysia and China.

He said there were ample opportunities for local companies to benefit from the project by becoming sub-contractors, material suppliers and technical service providers.

"At the moment, 30 per cent of the project management team is made up of locals and more will be engaged as work progresses."

Asked if the company was confident of working without any more delays to the project, he said: "The project duration is 42 months and the completion date will be on May 7, 2012, for which we have worked out a detailed programme.

"We will strictly follow the contract requirements and complete the work on time.

"Although we were unable to start work for the past one year, a lot of preparation work has been done, which means we are ready to carry out the construction schedule full swing."

Zaini said UEM Builders, which had been offered the contract to build the land portion of the bridge, had until next week to state whether it wanted to take up the offer.

He said the contract worth RM1.35 billion would be opened to restricted tenders if UEM did not take it up.

CHEC to stick to its portion of 2nd Penang bridge
28-11-2008: by Regina William

GEORGE TOWN: China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) which has been awarded the RM2.2 billion sub-structure and mainspan job for the Penang second crossing (P2X) is not interested to take up the RM1.3 billion contract for the construction of the super-structure portion of the P2X.

Asked if CHEC had the capabilities and would consider taking up the job to complete the entire bridge project, in case UEM Builders Bhd, which has been offered the contract, declined the offer, CHEC deputy chief economist and project director Chang Yun Bo said: "CHEC is fully capable and competent to carry out the entire project but that is not our intention. We will only concentrate on what we have been awarded."

"There are three packages for the project and we have taken up Package One, while UEM is taking up Package Two and there is still the Third Package which is the land portion. As far as we know, UEM Builders is working closely with the Malaysian government to finalise the package soon," Chang said during a courtesy call on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Chang also gave Lim his assurance that the CHEC's portion of the project would be sped up so that the bridge could be completed by end of 2011.

During a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier this month for the sub-structure and mainspan job to commence, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) managing director Tan Sri Zaini Omar said that the entire project would be completed by May 2012, a delay of five months from the previous schedule of completion announced by the government.

Chang said CHEC which started preliminary works last year including dredging, pre-engineering, jetty and preliminary works at the site had also commenced on foundation works for the sub-structure.

CHEC has employed 32 management staff including engineers for the project which included 10 locals while another 300 workers have been hired for the construction of the bridge proper.

Chang also hoped that the federal government would speed up the financial aspects of the project and start the scheduled payment when the first claim was due early next month.

Second Penang Bridge costs to remain RM4.3b
Written by Yong Min Wei
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 15:04

KUALA LUMPUR: The Second Penang Bridge project will remain at RM4.3 billion despite the fall in oil prices and it is on track to be completed by mid-2012, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany said on March 3 the contractual cost was fixed at RM4.3 billion while there could be variation in prices for several items.

The contract for the superstructure was awarded to UEM Builders Bhd subject to a final agreement with Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

He added the land highway package would be implemented via an open tender, adding JKSB was preparing the tender documents.

"As of now, there is some delay in the implementation of the project as the contractor involved has not been able to enter the construction site at Batu Kawan," Devamany told the House when answering a question from Lim Guan Eng (DAP - Bagan).

Lim had asked the Prime Minister to state the status of the tenders for the superstructure and the land highway packages in the Second Penang Bridge and whether the cost of the project would be reduced due to the drop in oil prices.

Devamany said the Federal Government would finalise the negotiations with the Penang state government and the would-be affected clam breeders on the compensation.

He expected the contractors to start work early this month once JKSB had compensated the clam breeders for vacating the site.

"Nevertheless, the delay to the work schedule is not worrying as it is not expected to affect the completion date of the Second Penang Bridge by middle of 2012," the deputy minister noted.

According to Devamany (BN - Cameron Highlands), the RM4.3 billion construction cost did not include the RM110 million to reclaim the land, RM100 million to compensate the fish and clam breeders, and development cost of some RM285 million.

He added a special purpose vehicle set up by UEM Group Bhd would finance the project via loans from China ExIm Bank and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd as well as equity contribution by the UEM Group.

"The loan of US$800 million (RM2.8 billion) from China ExIm was based on a low and irresistible interest rate of 3%. This is far lower that than what was offered by the local capital markets and other financial institutions" he added.

Devamany said the loan from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia was RM1.4 billion while equity contribution by the UEM Group amounted to RM50 million, adding the government would bear the remaining RM260 million in financing.[/QUOTE]

PM: Penang second bridge and Sentral hub to proceed as planned
Monday March 30, 2009

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/3/30/nation/paklah.jpg

Special gift: Abdullah receiving a souvenir from Penang Fire and Rescue
department head Ahmad Izram Osman after opening 28 Federal Government
projects at Dewan Milenium in Kepala Batas yesterday

KEPALA BATAS: The RM4.5bil second Penang bridge project and RM2bil Penang Sentral transportation and logistics hub will proceed as planned, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the two Federal Government projects, which incurred slight delays, would proceed even after he was no longer the Prime Minister.

“I cannot give the (exact) time when these projects will be completed but they are not abandoned.

“They are ongoing even though a little slow,” he said after launching 28 Federal Government projects in his Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency at Dewan Milenium here yesterday.

Last April, Abdullah had said that the bridge project would be delayed by nine months due to land acquisition, design and rising costs.

On March 21, the company in charge of laying the bridge’s foundation – China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) – said that piling work on both ends of the bridge in Batu Kawan and Batu Maung had begun.

The bridge project is scheduled for completion by May 2012 while the first phase of the Penang Sentral project is expected to be ready by July 2011.

Earlier, Abdullah hoped that the country’s next leadership would not overlook modernising rural areas in the process of urbanisation.

“We must continue to modernise the rural areas to make them attractive with necessary commercial and industrial values.

“Under my initiative, I promoted the development of agro-based industries nationwide, and I am pleased to note the successes they have recorded,” he said.

Abdullah also paid tribute to department heads, civil servants, local leaders as well as the people of Kepala Batas for playing a role in transforming the rural town into a bustling hub.

Kepala Batas is now the main government administrative hub for North Seberang Prai District.

“I hope there will be continued development in Kepala Batas when I am no longer Prime Minister,” he said.

UPDATE:

Batu Maung

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll23/kubundu/BMAUNG1.jpg

Contractors: Second bridge ready by 2012
Wednesday May 13, 2009

GEORGE TOWN: Contractors involved in building the RM4.3bil Second Penang Bridge — although facing problems including contractual matters — are committed to complete the bridge by 2012.

China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) and UEM Builders Bhd both had completed all the necessary preparatory works.

The Chinese Embassy’s economic and commercial counsellor Gao Wen Kuan said the general progress for the bridge foundation was “very good” despite facing many difficulties.

“We are confident that once completed, the Second Penang Bridge will benefit the state’s economic development as well as the people,” he told reporters after visiting the CHEC office in Batu Maung.

He also visited the UEM casting yard in Batu Kawan and the dredging site. Also present was Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim hoped everything could be settled before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visit to China at the end of the month.

“I won’t go into details about the problems that are preventing these companies from expediting the bridge construction, as these are not within our powers to solve.

“Casting work can take up to 600 days so we need to start soon if the project is to be completed on time,” he said.

Penang Second Crossing Bridge

http://www.uem.com.my/GUI/images/img_penang.jpg

The construction and management of Penang Second Crossing Bridge has been awarded to UEM Group by the Malaysian Government in November 2006. The 24km bridge project would link Batu Kawan on the mainland to Batu Maung on the island. The project will be constructed within three and a half years.

http://www.uem.com.my/GUI/images/img_penangmap.jpg

The Penang Second Bridge which is slated to become a regional landmark icon will definitely spur and stimulate further economic growth not only for Penang state but also for the neighbouring states of Kedah, Perak and Perlis. Indeed, as one of the three major infrastructural projects extended for the Northern Region in the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Penang Second Crossing Bridgeis set to herald positive and strong growth for the area and also for the country’s future development.

Acknowledged as one of the most important projects to be implemented under the current administration, the Penang Second Crossing Bridgestands as another feat to be accomplished by the UEM Group, recognized as a strong and trustworthy builder for the nation’s infrastructural projects. Communities within the surrounding vicinity can look forward to tap into a diverse range of business, economic and social opportunities during the construction stage and upon completion of the project.

Progressing from http://www.uem.com.my/
LAND ACTIVITIES : Casting Yard

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/15.jpg

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/12.jpg

Marine Test Pile

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/13.jpg

Dredging Works

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/1.JPG

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/2.JPG

Fact Sheet
Overall length - 24 km
Length over water - 17 km
Main span : Length - 250 meters
Height clearance (above water) – 30 meters
Number of vehicle lanes – 2 + 1 for motorcycles (each direction)
Proposed speed limit on bridge – 80 km/hour
Percentage of local contents to be used - 60%

Update:
by hodaka

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5403/cimg2066.jpg

Update:
From War Museum

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/849/45059813.jpg

Environmentally friendly
Tuesday May 5, 2009
By DERRICK VINESH

AS PILING works for the RM4.5bil second Penang Bridge project starts picking up, steps are being taken to ensure mud-dredging of the seabed in the area do not pollute the environment.

State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Com-mittee chairman Phee Boon Poh said mud dredged along the bridge’s alignment between Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai, was carefully disposed about nine nautical miles southwest of Pulau Kendi.

“The Penang Mud Disposal Special Technical Committee picked this off-shore site, which has a depth of 30m,” he said in an interview on Friday. He said the state executive council approved the site, adding that the mud disposed there would not affect the area’s fishing and nearby tourism industries.

Phee said the sea, which was merely a metre deep in some spots along the bridge alignment, had to be deepened to enable the movement of barges transporting piles to the project site.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/5/5/north/bridge.jpg

A barge crane lifting a boat used for
transporting workers and material for the project.

He said Bayan Lepas assem- blyman Syed Ameruddin Syed Ahmad raised concerns at the recent state assembly sitting that mud sedimentation from the dredging work could be seen along the banks near Teluk Kumbar.

“The DOE investigated the matter and found that there was no illegal mud dumping from the project along the particular stretch,” he said.

Phee assured that project contractor and the Malaysian Maritime enforcement agency were closely monitoring all dredging work in the area.

The Department of Environment (DOE) which approved the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, he said, also conducted regular air and sea surveillance on the site.

“The DOE has even requested the contractor to use an automatic identification system on all of its 14 barges used to transport mud to keep track of its activities via online and Global Positioning System (GPS),” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/5/5/north/bridge2.jpg

The quarters-cum-site office for the Penang Second Link Project
is moored about 500 metres off Pulau Aman, Penang.

State Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said dredging works at the site would continue so long as the barges needed to ferry the piles to the designated spots to lay them.

“The second bridge project is progressing well and is on schedule. So far about 100-odd piles have been laid in the sea,” he said.

Lim said the contractor had also docked a gigantic floating operations centre-cum-workers quarters about 500 metres off Pulau Aman to facilitate the deploying of small barges to the project site.

The company in charge of laying the bridge’s foundation, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, had in March said that the project was about 10% complete and that piling work started in February.

It said the piling and dredging work involved more than 350 workers, 100 of whom were locals.

Scheduled for completion by May 2012, the 22.5km-long second link, of which 17km will be built over the sea, is targeted at reducing the traffic volume on the Penang Bridge by half.

Asas Dunia lines up new projects
By Marina EmmanuelPublished: 2009/06/25

PENANG-BASED property developer Asas Dunia Bhd (ADB) (5975) is looking at implementing eight new projects in mainland Penang over the next four years.

Its managing director Datuk Jerry Chan Fook Sing said 1,177 units of dwellings ranging from affordable housing to high-end homes will be scattered on different sites totalling 48ha.

"We are looking at embarking on the new jobs this year and the proposed properties carry a value of RM203 million," he told reporters after ADB's annual shareholders' meeting in Penang yesterday.

The company currently has ongoing projects worth RM56 million and boasts an unutilised landbank of 571ha.
Chan said ADB's bullishness on embarking on the new projects was spurred by not only the new investments which were being ploughed into Penang, but the tangible progress made in the construction of the Penang Second Bridge.

Penang's second link will connect Batu Maung on the island with Batu Kawan on the mainland.

The project is pivotal to ADB's new developments, which are being planned in areas like Nibong Tebal, Sungai Bakap, Bukit Minyak and Bukit Mertajam.

"The new investments into Penang will see the creation of new jobs and since people follow jobs, they will be looking for housing," Chan said.

He said since industrial land is running scarce on Penang island, the mainland is set to be the centre for future industrial development and ADB intends to leverage on this.

"Following a site visit to Batu Kawan yesterday where UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has a yard, I am pleased to see that the company is going full-steam ahead with the jetty construction for the piling works.

"A lot of construction materials have also been brought to the site and this sends out positive signals that we can expect more growth to be spurred on the mainland," Chan added.

The 24km Penang Second Bridge will link Penang island and Seberang Prai. Upon completion by 2011, the bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, is set to be the longest in Southeast Asia.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd - a subsidiary of UEM Builders Bhd - has named port builder and bridge construction firm China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd as its main contractor for the iconic bridge project.

Update:
by hodaka

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3670/cimg2061.jpg

http://www.pdcp.com.my/images/cassia-mapbig.jpg

when will this project gets completed

The 24km Penang Second Bridge will link Penang island and Seberang Prai. Upon completion by 2011, the bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, is set to be the longest in Southeast Asia.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd - a subsidiary of UEM Builders Bhd - has named port builder and bridge construction firm China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd as its main contractor for the iconic bridge project.

2011-2012 :)

Lim To Meet Nor Mohamed Over Penang's Delayed Projects
September 04, 2009 17:04 PM

PENANG, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Friday, he was trying to set up a meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop this weekend to discuss how both the federal and state governments could work together to complete delayed Penang projects on schedule.

"We will discuss to see whether both governments can work together to make sure all these projects are completed as planned," he told reporters here.

Lim was commenting on Nor Mohamed's statement last Saturday that the federal government would ensure that 22 delayed Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) infrastructure projects worth RM300 million in Penang were completed as scheduled by the end of 2010.

Lim also said that the state government would want to know why only RM1.8 billion of the RM7.6 billion worth of development projects approved for Penang were to be completed on time next year, adding that the rate of failure was about 76 per cent.

On another matter, Lim dismissed as untrue a claim by Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan that lack of cooperation on the part of the state government was the reason for the delay in the construction of the second Penang bridge.

"I hope Gerakan would not make such a baseless allegation against the state government, and they should not play politics with the state's mega projects," he said.

Lim said the state government was fully committed towards having the bridge completed on time.

The second bridge, linking Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, is expected to be completed in May 2012.

-- BERNAMA

Penang Second Bridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Official name Penang Second Bridge
Malay name Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang
Locale Penang Second Bridge
North-South Expressway Northern Route
Carries Motor vehicles
Crosses South Channel
Longest span 17 km
Total length 24 km
Width 250 m
Opening date January 2011
Design UEM Builders
Designer/clients Malaysian Highway Authority
UEM Builders
Contractor/construction UEM Builders

UPDATE:
Official name Penang Second Bridge
Malay name Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang
Locale Penang Second Bridge
North-South Expressway Northern Route
Carries Motor vehicles
Crosses Penang Strait, Penang
Maintained by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB)
Designer Government of Malaysia
Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA)
UEM Builders
Design cable stayed bridge, box girder bridge
Longest span 16.37 km
Total length 23.37 km
Width 250 m
Constructed by China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC)
UEM Construction Sdn Bhd
Opening date May 2012

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang_Second_Bridge

Completion of 2nd Penang Bbridge delayed by a year to 2013
Published: Saturday October 10, 2009 MYT 6:19:00 PM
By K. KASTURI DEWI

BATU KAWAN: The completion of the RM4.3bil Second Penang bridge has been delayed by a year to 2013.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said Saturday that the bridge was initially projected to be completed by mid-2012 but several factors such as in-depth study and re-designing of the bridge had caused the completion date to be shelved to before April 2013.

“The bridge’s scheduled progress should be now 20% but it was only 7%. I am however satisfied with the progress of the works being carried out and am confident that we can catch up despite the few hitches”.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting the United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) segmental box girder factory in Batu Kawan Saturday.

The factory was set up to manufacture some 8,100 such girders for the bridge project.

Nor Mohamed said under the project, the packages awarded included RM2.2bil worth of works on the main span, sub-structures and the foundation that were expected to be completed in May 2012.

The second package involves a RM1.55bil super structure works to be completed by early 2013 and the final package involving RM350mil of land portion works both on the island and mainland.

He said the project would benefit the state’s economic development and create 1,200 jobs.

The 17km bridge will link Batu Kawan to Batu Maung on Penang island and will be the longest in the region when completed.

Also present were Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd managing director Dr Ismail Mohd Taib and construction director Major (R) Ir. Mohd Ashari Alias.

Bridge specifications
Source: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Penang_Second_Bridge

Overall length - 24 km (15 miles)
Length over water - 17 km (10 miles)
Main span : Length - 250 m (-- feet)
Height clearance (above water) – 30 m (-- feet)
Number of vehicle lanes – 2 + 1 for motorcycles (each direction)
Average time taken to drive from Batu Kawan to Batu Maung – 20 mins
Proposed speed limit on bridge – 80 km/h (-- mph)
Percentage of local contents to be used - 60%

M’sia, China sign five MoUs
12th November, 2009

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chinese president Hu Jintao yesterday witnessed the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.

The signing ceremony of the MOUs was held at the Prime Minister’s office at Perdana Putra building here.

The first MoU was signed between Bank Negara Malaysia and the China Banking Regulatory Commission on banking supervision cooperation.

Malaysia was represented by Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz and China by the chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, Liu Ming Kang.

The second MoU was signed by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Mohammed Khaled Nordin and the China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Liu Jian, for cooperation in the field of higher education.

The third MoU involved the Malaysian government and the Beijing Enterprise Water Group (BEWG) Ltd of China on cooperation in the sewerage services industry.

It was signed by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Dr Halim Man and the chairman and executive director of BEWG, Zhang Hong Hai.

Najib and Hu also witnessed the signing of supplementary agreements to the general loan agreement on the utilisation of the preferential buyers’ credit between the secretary-general of the Treasury, Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah and the chairman and president of the Export Import Bank of China, Li Ruo Gu.

The final MoU was on the preferential buyers credit loan agreement on the Penang second bridge project.

It was signed by the chairman of Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob and Li Ruo Gu.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Najib said Hu’s two-day visit to Malaysia symbolised the 35 years of bilateral ties between both countries.

He said when both countries established diplomatic ties 35 years ago, neither could have imagined two important things taking place in the future.

“Firstly, we would not have imagined how successful China would be one day,” he said, while crediting President Hu, for this.

Najib also noted that bilateral ties had blossomed ever since and progressed to become very important, strategic and comprehensive.

In a related matter, the prime minister said he wanted Hu’s visit not to be only ceremonial but become very substantial.

“I will seek to propel this bilateral relationship to a higher level,” he added.

Najib also disclosed that he would highlight to Hu, some new areas of collaboration between both countries.

Source: http://cm.penang.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=1&layout=blog&Itemid=504&limitstart=230

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/33249/PG06_100509_CASTING_.524774.jpg

Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng (second, left) inspecting the
casting yard when visiting the construction site of the second
Penang Bridge in Batu Kawan. Also present are Penang's state-exco
for domestic trade and consumer affair, Abdul Malik Abul Kassim (left)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

http://www.uem.com.my/GUI/images/img_penangmap.jpg

UPDATE:
From flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4170525459_380f802367_b.jpg

Second Penang link may cost less
By Rupinder SinghPublished: 2010/04/27

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/bridge2/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/BRIDGE.jpg

The second Penang bridge project will cost less than the RM4.5 billion initially estimated and is on track to be completed by September 2013.
"We are expecting it (cost of second bridge construction) to be less than RM4.5 billion with the competitive open tender for Package 3," Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) managing director Datuk Professor Ismail Mohd Taib told reporters after a signing ceremony between JKSB with CHEC Construction (M) Sdn Bhd and UEM Builders Bhd in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

So far, over 100 construction firms have shown keen interest in the RM750 million Package 3 contract work.

"About 40 of those companies have submitted their tender for Package 3. We hope the board can sit this month and if there are no problems, we can start work for Package 3 construction by the end of May this year," he said.

Asked why the second Penang bridge project has been delayed for more than a year, Ismail said it was due to the "change in business model and funding of the project, which have resulted in a review of the contractual terms of the agreements with the financiers and the contractors".
The 17km bridge will link Batu Kawan to Batu Maung on Penang island and will be the longest in the region when completed.

Package 3 is divided into seven parts: The Batu Maung Interchange(Package 3A), the Batu Kawan Land Expressway (Package 3B), the Batu Kawan Trumpet Interchange (Package 3C), Toll Plaza and Administration Building (Package 3D), Toll Collection System (Package 3E), Traffic Control Surveillance System (Package 3F) and Mechanical and Electrical and Infrastructure Works for Package 3A and 3C (Package 3G).

Package 1 of the second Penang bridge project involves a RM2.2 billion contract work on the main span, substructures and foundation, which is expected to be completed in May 2012.

Package 2 is a RM1.55 billion contract for the construction of the superstructure, scheduled for completion in 2013.

Construction of the Second Penang Bridge is now 24 per cent complete and it should be open to traffic by November 2013.

JKSB is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the federal government to supervise and fast-track the second Penang bridge project.

It is also a concessionaire appointed to oversee the construction, management and operations of the second bridge.

Yesterday's signing saw the award of Package 1 and two construction works to CHEC Construction and UEM Builders respectively.

Deputy Finance Minister Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, who witnessed the signing, said the mega project will not only benefit Penang residents but also those in the surrounding areas.

"Apart from the objective to ease traffic congestion, it will also stimulate the economy of the southern area of Penang, thus further enhancing the country's economic development," he said.

Second Penang bridge 24% completed
By DAVID TAN 2010/04/26

GEORGE TOWN: The construction of the RM4.3bil second Penang bridge is now 24% completed compared with about 7% in October last year.

A Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) spokesman said the 24% completion covered the works done for both package one and two of the bridge.

Package one involves a RM2.2bil contract work on the main span, substructures and foundation, which is expected to be completed in May 2012.

Meanwhile, package two is a RM1.55bil contract for the construction of the superstructure, scheduled for completion in 2013.

The final package involves RM350mil of land portion works, both on the island and mainland.

The JKSB spokesman said a contract agreement signing ceremony would be held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday between JKSB and CHEC Construction (M) Sdn Bhd, and UEM Builders Bhd.

It is learnt that JKSB managing director Datuk Prof Ismail Mohd Taib would sign the deal on behalf of JKSB.

JKSB is a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the Government to supervise and fast track the second Penang bridge project.

It is also a concessionaire appointed to oversee the construction, management and operations of the second bridge.

Last October, in a visit to the bridge site, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the bridge completion had to be delayed by a year to 2013 due to re-designing works.

The 17km bridge will link Batu Kawan to Batu Maung on Penang island and will be the longest in the region when completed.

IJM wins RM350mil second Penang bridge job
Wednesday June 16, 2010

PETALING JAYA: IJM Corp Bhd unit IJM Construction Sdn Bhd has secured a RM349.98mil job from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) for the construction of the second Penang bridge.

The contract includes Package 3B: Batu Kawan Expressway which involves the construction of a 5.7km dual two-lane carriageway with a cloverleaf interchange and four bridges.

IJM told Bursa Malaysia that the construction period was 31 months from the date of site possession on June 28.

JKSB is a unit of the Minister of Finance, Inc.

The estimated cost of RM4.5bil may be revised downward due to competitive pricing, according to a recent news report.

The 24km second bridge will link Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai to Batu Maung on Penang island.

Nice project.

Did I miss something or is there a project for a third bridge for the monorail on the map on the first page? Wouldn't it be possible to build the monorail above the existing bridge?

Wouldn't it be possible to build the monorail above the existing bridge?

No...but the monorail possibly to build the third bridge for the monorail line which will linking between Georgetown and Buttorworth >

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9233/rajah13134sk.jpg

Bridge boost for Batu Kawan
Friday July 9, 2010

THE development of Batu Kawan into a cyber city will be faster than Bertam, which is also designated for development into a cyber city.

investPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the completion of the second Penang Bridge in 2013 would spur the transformation of Batu Kawan into a cyber city.

“There will be a lot of work to be done for Batu Kawan after that,” he told reporters after launching the MSC Malaysia industry briefing and dialogue organised by investPenang and Multi Media Development Corporation (MDeC) yesterday.

Also present was MDeC general manager (states rollout and cybercities) general manager Wee Huay Neo.

Lee said Bertam has been designated as Penang Cyber City (PCC 2) and Batu Kawan as PCC 3, after Bayan Baru, which is PCC 1.

“Bertam’s development into a cyber city will be slower because most of the land in the town is privately owned.

“Thus, unless the private developers initiate development to create the necessary basic telecommunication and power infrastructure to attract investors to move in, Bertam’s development as a cyber city will be slower,” he said.

To qualify for cyber city status, a town must meet certain criteria such as having an available talent pool, proximity to universities and research centres, a competitive environment to attract investments and knowledge workers, and an information, communication, and technology blueprint to provide value propositions for the local eco-nomy.

There are 10 cyber centres in the Klang Valley now. They include the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Cyberjaya, KL Sentral and Mid Valley City.

There are six cyber cities in the states of Kedah, Penang, Malacca, Perak, Johor and Pahang.

On investments into Penang, Lee said that enquiries to invest in Penang in the first half, had increased 100-fold compared to the same period last year.

“We have spoken to electronics, solar power and medical devices investors.

“We are working towards getting them to invest in Penang,” he said, adding that the state government’s target for foreign investments was RM4.2bil this year.

Second Penang bridge on course
By CHRISTINA CHIN
starmag@thestar.com.my


The sound of piling work on the new Penang bridge can be music to the ears, given its promise of smoother traffic.

WITH the Raya exodus poised to begin over the next few days, those headed for Penang are wont to sigh at the thought of traffic snarls in and around the island.

There was a time when crossing from Butterworth to George Town (and vice versa) entailed hours of sweating in the car, waiting for slow-mo ferries to transport vehicles across the narrow straits.

The 13.5km Penang Bridge, which opened to traffic in September 1985, brought welcome relief as it enabled traffic to zoom straight into Gelugor from Seberang Perai.

But over the years, traffic has built up again, especially with the latter area seeing a spate of growth recently. And come festive season, it’s back to the gridlock as hordes rush to balik kampung.

Well, Penangites and visitors to the Pearl of the Orient will have to be patient for a few more years, as the Second Penang Bridge is scheduled to roll out only in 2013. With the new link, island-bound traffic will be able to flow from Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai, to Batu Maung on the other end.

The update from Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng is that more than 50% of piling work on the 24km second bridge has been completed. Casting of the segmental box girdle is in full swing and contracts for the land road developments have been awarded.

Overall, more than 25% of the mega project is done. It’s now time to go into full swing to make sure that the bridge is ready by September 2013, Lim says.

“Yes, the first Penang Bridge was expanded, but by 2012, traffic will again exceed its capacity. Now, we have 64,000 vehicles using the bridge daily – and that’s just one way. We’re expecting 80,000 vehicles in two years.

“We need the second bridge to divert at least 25% of the traffic from the first bridge. By the time the signages are ready and the tests and trial runs conducted, it will probably only be open to traffic early 2014.”

Lim admits that the state government does not have any power to ensure that the project is delivered on time, but he thinks the companies responsible will not risk having to pay liquidated damages which could amount to “tens of thousands (of ringgit) per day” to the federal government for any delay.

“The state gvernment can only monitor the cost and progress closely. Any delay will cause the cost to balloon from its estimated RM4.5bil.” Ultimately, it will be Penangites and other motorists who will have to bear the increase in the cost, through higher tolls, he says.


A UEM staff briefing Lim Guan Eng (right) at the Batu Kawan casting yard, during an inspection by the Penang Chief Minister last year.
In June, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in Parliament that come 2013, the toll rate for the second bridge would be RM1.90 for motorcycles; RM9.40 for cars, taxis and two-axle vans (except MPVs); RM16.20 for two-axle lorries, which include pick-ups and MPVs, and RM33.60 for vans, buses and six-wheeled lorries.

Currently, the toll for cars plying the Penang Bridge is RM7.

The second bridge project comprises three main packages: construction of the sub-structure by CHEC Construction Sdn Bhd (the local arm of China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd); casting of the segmental box girdle by UEM Builders Bhd; and construction of the Batu Kawan and Batu Maung exit and entry points and trumpet interchange by Cergas Murni, IJM Construction and HRA Teguh.

Package one includes piling and the building of pile caps, columns and the navigation span.

Lim says as of April this year, over 13% of this package has been completed “but CHEC will have to play catch up now because of delays caused when the company had to amend its pile caps and columns design to ensure that they can withstand an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale.

“Although big vessels will not be allowed to pass under the bridge, they must take into account the possibility of shipping accidents,” he says, adding that dredging work is almost done. Dredging is necessary to enable barges and machinery to access the site as the waters are too shallow.



The most difficult part of CHEC’s work is putting on the piling caps, he observes.

UEM has started casting more than 8,000 segmental box girdles and almost 20% of package two has been completed, as of April too.

As for package three, the contractors have their hands full with preliminary work, including setting up offices in Penang, mobilising their machinery and conducting land surveys.

Contracts for the construction of the toll plazas have yet to be awarded and the state has called on all the main contractors involved to engage Penang-based sub-contractors and to source for materials locally.

The second bridge, which will have a lifespan of 120 years, mirrors the first in design. Initially, there were plans for two viewing platforms, complete with restaurants, but that was scrapped due to a lack of funds. The platforms would have added another RM600mil to the costs.


A common scene as motorists head towards Penang island during festive periods. The new link is expected to reduce traffic on the existing bridge by about 25%.
The cost factor has also put the brakes on additional lanes to meet increasing traffic volume, down the road.

“Just like the first bridge, additional piling must be done if we want to expand the second bridge,” Lim says.

The first bridge has been widened from two to three lanes each way (except for the centrespan). The third lane opened in August last year.

To accommodate future expansion, additional piling should be done from the start. However, the cost of putting in place piling that allows for such expansion is equivalent to building one-and-a-half bridges, he estimates.

In an even more ideal scenario, the foundation piling of the Second Penang Bridge should accommodate a Light Rail Transit (LRT).

“In 10 to 30 years, an LRT could prove very important, especially if we can successfully promote the park and ride system of using public transportation. No doubt the investment will be great but it is very necessary,” says Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, former State Local Government and Traffic Committee chairman.

Dr Teng notes that Penang’s economy has been booming since the 90s, thanks to its electronics industry.

“We were transforming from a low-capital, high-labour economy to one that was low in human resource but high in capital investment. There was a need for better infrastructure and amenities such as power and water supply. Flooding problems and traffic jams had to be solved.

“Connectivity between the island and mainland was a big concern because in case anything were to happen on the existing bridge, it would be disastrous for the MNCs, especially with new industrial parks in Juru and Bukit Minyak coming up,” he explains.

It was decided that a second bridge would be that vital link, besides being “a lifeline for the state’s economy”. When completed, the bridge will “instil confidence in multi-national companies to expand their existing operations in the state, and attract new private investments,” Dr Teng says.

Initially, a Japanese company proposed a link between Tanjung Tokong on the island and Bagan on the mainland. It was rejected, for several reasons.

“The Japanese proposal was for an underwater tunnel and a bridge link, but they wanted to handle everything themselves, from the design and contractors to the material supplies. Furthermore, the sites of the link were already developed; we didn’t think the tunnel-bridge could add any value to these locations,” he adds.

So the planners looked south to Batu Maung, a relatively underdeveloped enclave compared to the rest of the island. Across the straits, Batu Kawan looked ideal to draw development to the south of Seberang Prai.

The proposal for the new bridge was approved by the federal government in 2004 and construction finally commenced on in November 2008, after months of delay caused by land acquisition issues.

Other grouses have surfaced since. In June this year, some 80 inshore fishermen in Kampung Changkat voiced unhappiness that mid-sea dredging by contractors at the second bridge construction site had affected marine life in the area.

They claimed that their catch had dropped drastically in the last 10 years, after the Pulau Burung sanitary landfill opened nearby. The situation has worsened since the bridge project started, they added.

The fishermen said they could hardly make RM10 per catch daily compared to nearly RM200 per catch daily previously.

A Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) report states that piling, dredging and landfill works, environment pollution and the movement of ships and boats in the area have all contributed to the dwindling catch.

State Agriculture, Rural Development and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Law Choo Kiang says the state government meets periodically with the fishermen’s association, LKIM and Fisheries Department to gather the information on this issue.

“Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) has also been instructed to complete a Fishery Impact Assessment and to follow every guideline set by the various technical departments including the Department of Environment, Land Office and LKIM and others.”

However, Law adds that dwindling catch is also a problem worldwide and cites climate change, water and sea pollution and lack of awareness of environmental protection as some of the factors behind that.

He “welcomes” federal government assistance to help with the ex-gratia payment proposed by LKIM and the Fisheries Department for fishermen and aquaculture owners affected by the second bridge. “We would like the federal government and JKSB to deal with this urgently.

“LKIM and the Fisheries Department have taken steps to alleviate the situation by placing artificial corals at Kendi Island and Gedung Island at a cost of RM400,000. Muka Head will be next,” he says.

Also Images from the same article post above

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/8/29/lifefocus/f_4bridgework.jpg

Heavy machinery in operation at the bridge site at Seberang Perai.


http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/8/29/lifefocus/f_4bridge.jpg

An artist’s impression of the new 24km link, which mirrors the existing Penang bridge in design.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/7/26/business/leadpicpenangbridge.JPG

And the rest area is swept under carpet due to high cost

Progressing from http://www.uem.com.my/
LAND ACTIVITIES : Casting Yard

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/15.jpg

http://www.uem.com.my/coreBusiness/penang_gallery/12.jpg


http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/3/nation/n_03bridge.jpg

A general view of the casting yard for the second Penang bridge in Batu Kawan


Casting Yard
Penang 2nd Bridge Pipe Pile for Main Span foundation.. Delivery starting this month.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7920/p1020524l.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9732/p1020521u.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5089/p1020523.jpg

Pile Pile for 2nd Penang Bridge

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1927/p1020558gk.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6968/p1020579c.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/366/p1020582u.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8076/p1020587tc.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9370/p1020592j.jpg

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/6853/p1020597m.jpg

Penang Second Bridge

CJUSTR0lpvU

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zEX0VniJJbA/TB7UOSP8_kI/AAAAAAAADEk/ZVL-XSflxZ4/s400/bridge.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5534644559_e270655546_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moedie_shotz/5534644559/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/5602373834_abdd386da5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30216515@N05/5602373834/

THE 1st & 2nd BRIDGE (U/C)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/5604247429_0f19868d09_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30216515@N05/5604247429/in/set-72157614683098738/

Concessionaire: Second bridge will be completed by November 2013
By JOSEPHINE JALLEH Tuesday April 19, 2011
Photos by WAN MOHIZAN WAN HUSSEIN
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/4/19/north/8508230&sec=North

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/19/north/bridge.jpg
Looming in the horizon: A view of the work in progress on
the second bridge linking Batu Kawan and Batu Maung in Penang

THE second Penang Bridge is 47.55% completed as of March.

The project is however 2.85% behind the 50.4% scheduled progress.

State Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said concession holder Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) had assured the state government that it would catch up with the scheduled completion of the 24km bridge slated for November 2013.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/19/north/bridge1.jpg
Workers building a scaffolding for the bridge

Construction works on the bridge started in late November 2008.

Lim also said over 700 workers were working round the clock at the United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) segmental box girder plant in Batu Kawan to produce 8,092 units of segmental box girders for the bridge.

“They have already moulded 987 units. A total of 28 units are already fixed on-site out in the sea with 14 of them on each side of the bridge.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/19/north/bridge2.jpg
Completed segmental box girders stored at the plant in Batu Kawan

“Besides that, piling works are 84% completed while the building of pile caps and columns are 55% and 45% completed respectively,” he said during a visit to the plant yesterday.

Lim added that the two toll plaza buildings, to be located in Batu Kawan, were still on the design board.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/19/north/bridge3.jpg
Latest update: (from right) Anuar briefing the visitors including assemblyman
Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Lim at the segmental box girder plant in Batu Kawan

“We will also implement a green concept for the package to be environmental friendly,” he added.

Buildcast Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of UEM Builders Bhd) production manager Anuar Abdul said there were 22 moulds and three factories at the segment casting plant.

“Between 12 and 14 pieces of segmental box girders are produced in a day and the process is a tedious one,” he said.

The RM4.5bil second bridge project comprises three main packages — construction of the sub-structure by CHEC Construction Sdn Bhd (the local arm of China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd), casting of the segmental box girder by UEM Builders Bhd, and construction of the Batu Kawan and Batu Maung exit and entry points and trumpet interchange by Cergas Murni, IJM Construction and HRA Teguh.

The bridge, which will link Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai to Batu Maung on Penang island, is poised to be the longest bridge in the country and Southeast Asia.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5680743432_034a92dc16_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680743432/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5680179175_d530a38de2_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680179175/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5680181729_a2475c45d7_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680181729/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5680183783_344715622b_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5680741108_8f06846166_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680741108/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5680183345_b9c0f854a7_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680183345/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5680158179_e3d524f04e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680158179/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5680160075_8d0b0d1062_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680160075/in/set-72157626506691921
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5680159443_300373a549_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680159443/in/set-72157626506691921

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5680156493_9114591880_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680156493/)
Second Penang bridge under construction - 25 April (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680156493/) by radiantjustice (http://www.flickr.com/people/26541172@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5680725108_f448b24ec9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680725108/)
Second Penang bridge under construction - 25 April (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26541172@N08/5680725108/) by radiantjustice (http://www.flickr.com/people/26541172@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/5709904709_8c928bc331_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/5709904709/)
Leaving Penang Behind (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/5709904709/) by mikecogh (http://www.flickr.com/people/mikecogh/), on Flickr

http://www.upislam.com/images/74582207833219399002.jpg
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/52495771

wow finally !!!!

http://upislam.com/images/76835238789980593093.jpg
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/52495763

2nd Penang bridge ahead of schedule
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2011/10/18
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pbpb/Article/

GEORGE TOWN: Construction of the second Penang bridge is likely to be completed two months ahead of its projected November 2013 schedule.

Subject to weather conditions and other considerations, it was likely that work on the new bridge will achieve 70 per cent progress by the end of this year, Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor said yesterday.

The bridge connecting Batu Kawan on Penang mainland and Batu Maung on the island will be the longest in Southeast Asia at 16.9km. Total estimated construction cost is RM4.5 billion.

"The dedication by the project contractors in seeing to the smooth running of the project may see it completed two months ahead of its scheduled completion," Shaziman told reporters after visiting the project site.

Work on the bridge, which will serve as the third link between the island and the mainland (after the ferry service and first Penang bridge) and set to provide better connectivity and accessibility to and from the island, began in November 2008.

It comprises a two-lane dual carriageway with shoulders and a dedicated motorcycle lane. Its design is depicted as a 375m cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 240m over the southern channel with a 30m height clearance.

The bridge is a joint-venture project between China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and UEM Builders Bhd, with Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) appointed as the concession holder.

JKSB, which is wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, is responsible for the construction, management, operation and maintenance of the bridge and has been given a 45-year concession for the project.

This is from the Malaysian section

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6490209755_5732774fc9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/harriotc/6490209755/)
20111211 Barefoot in the sea (http://www.flickr.com/photos/harriotc/6490209755/) by ChR!s H@rR!0t (http://www.flickr.com/people/harriotc/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6490207973_e8e869528e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/harriotc/6490207973/)
20111211 Light source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/harriotc/6490207973/) by ChR!s H@rR!0t (http://www.flickr.com/people/harriotc/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6493465251_159e586f90_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493465251/)
12 Dec 2011@ Penang's 2nd Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493465251/) by CheeSiangLeow (http://www.flickr.com/people/51349429@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6493487453_1cd215b33a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493487453/)
12 Dec 2011@ Penang's 2nd Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493487453/) by CheeSiangLeow (http://www.flickr.com/people/51349429@N06/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6493459579_7aba539121_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493459579/)
12 Dec 2011@ Penang's 2nd Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51349429@N06/6493459579/) by CheeSiangLeow (http://www.flickr.com/people/51349429@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6530567137_c9eb2f80df_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530567137/)
The 2nd Penang Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530567137/) by ilhanphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/ilhanphotography/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6530567473_1fccb5d88d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530567473/)
The 2nd Penang Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530567473/) by ilhanphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/ilhanphotography/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6530566747_c41eb6edfc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530566747/)
The 2nd Penang Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhanphotography/6530566747/) by ilhanphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/ilhanphotography/), on Flickr

update

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g425/JooWeisey/For%20the%20record%20of%20developments%20in%20Penang%20Island/85f8672c.jpg

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g425/JooWeisey/For%20the%20record%20of%20developments%20in%20Penang%20Island/0cdfc704.jpg

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g425/JooWeisey/For%20the%20record%20of%20developments%20in%20Penang%20Island/d11f5bcf.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/
The Batu Kawan Toll Plaza

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.0%20overall%20second%20penang%20bridge%20%20perspective.jpg

Plus Toll Plaza

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/2.0%20overall%20plus%20toll%20plaza%20perspective.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.0.1%20pb2x%201.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.0.4%20pb2x%204.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.0.2%20pb2x%202.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.0.3%20pb2x%203.jpg

admin building view
http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.1%20admin%20building%20%20view%201.jpg

http://www.jambatankedua.com.my/webv1/images/stories/tollplaza2/1.2%20admin%20building%20view%202.jpg

>>>
2nd Bridge...

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400022_288155021241297_158561804200620_833593_1292136236_n.jpg



http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397457_288155091241290_158561804200620_833594_1891739117_n.jpg



http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404954_288155174574615_158561804200620_833595_1619988661_n.jpg


http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402015_288155317907934_158561804200620_833596_1479173529_n.jpg



http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/402389_288155417907924_158561804200620_833597_1801686975_n.jpg



http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408166_288155621241237_158561804200620_833599_903178519_n.jpg


http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407735_288155867907879_158561804200620_833602_84724366_n.jpg


http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406766_288155971241202_158561804200620_833603_865833864_n.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums/dandan/Iphone/IMG_0497.jpg
test test

birdview on 30/1/2012

Second Penang link to be ready sooner
Wednesday February 1, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/2/1/north/10613101&sec=North

GEORGE TOWN: The second Penang bridge is 3% ahead of schedule and is expected to be ready by October next year, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the construction work was proceeding well.

“Although the bridge was expected to be ready in 2014, it is now expected to be completed earlier based on the progress of construction,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Lim said that according to completion schedule, the progress of construction was supposed to be 67.71% but it had reached 70.7%.

In October last year, Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor had said the bridge was 65% completed and expected to be ready earlier than its November 2013 deadline.

He expressed confidence the project would be ready two months earlier than scheduled.

On another matter, Lim said the handing out of white ang pow during Perkasa’s Chinese New Year open house at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, was an insult to the Chinese community.

http://images4.fotop.net/albums/dandan/Iphone/IMG_0497.jpg
test test

birdview on 30/1/2012

wow love to see the smooth curves..not like the first penang bridge which is straight and suddenly bend at the end

All abuzz over second bridge
Thursday March 15, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/15/north/10919114&sec=North

WITH the hum and buzz of Free Industrial Zone factories on one side and sights of the Penang Channel on the other, driving on the southern end of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway on Penang Island has always been scenic.

But over the last year, more interesting things have been happening.

Near the very end of the expressway in Batu Maung, concrete piers have been emerging in the sea, marking the foundation work for the Second Penang Bridge.

The 292nd and last pier was cast just last Saturday, paving the way for the 24km superstructure to follow suit.

With the completion date for the bridge now expected to be two months ahead of the September 2013 target, excitement is growing on the ground.

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2012/3/15/north/file63zq4d2gwd4q33b7et3.jpg
Hard at work: Men on the job at the Batu Maung interchange of the Second Penang Bridge

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2012/3/15/north/file63zq4blwpu9i4xbvet3.jpg
Progressing smoothly: Work on the Second Penang Bridge superstructure and cabled-stayed deck is two months ahead of the September 2012 target

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6876945072_e564d63bff_b.jpg
http://flic.kr/p/btG9bu

http://zasan-strategy.blogspot.com/2010/12/penang-second-bridge.html

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9724/dscn0067764227.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/903/dscn0068767403.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7345078714_3142c011b5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aizuddinsugara/7345078714/

I got this picture from engineer there

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/556846_10150931214087728_1002061803_n.jpg

Second bridge running on schedule
SMOOTH PASSAGE: Penang island’s second link to the mainland will be open to traffic in September next year
By ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI | 18 June 2012 | Last updated at 10:00PM

http://www.nst.com.my/polopoly_fs/1.95537.1339941614!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_454/image.jpg

The Second Penang Bridge will be 80 per cent complete by month end.
Pic by Mohd Kamil Rahim

GEORGE TOWN: THE Second Penang Bridge, the most anticipated project by the federal government for the state, is on track for completion in September next year.

Construction of the 24km bridge that links Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland will be 80 per cent complete by the end of this month.

The RM4.5 billion project, which commenced in November 2008, has reached another significant milestone with the installation of the first cable stays on Saturday, during a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The cable-stay bridge is similar to the Penang Bridge, which was built in the mid 1980s.

The new bridge will require 144 cable stays for its eight pylons or four pair of peers at the mid-span, each standing at 97m from the sea level. Eight cable stays are attached to each pylon.

The media on a site visit at mid-span were informed that the mid-span piers were due for completion anytime now.

One will be able to walk across the bridge come April next year but motorists would have to wait until September.

The bridge is constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia and China Harbour Engineering Company, a subsidiary of the China Construction & Communications Group.

Running a total 16.9km over water, the Second Penang Bridge is set to be the longest bridge in Southeast Asia.

It will be the longest bridge in the world with high damping rubber bearing, which provides an effective seismic isolation system.

The bridge is said to be “earthquake-proof” with the adoption of the seismic expansion joint system.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7602406622_2a2d235a3c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602406622/)
Penang second link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602406622/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7602408904_bb4804398b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602408904/)
Penang second link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602408904/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7602419930_ebe94035dc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602419930/)
Penang second link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602419930/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7602417472_720daf06d1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602417472/)
Penang second link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/7602417472/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr

n6d8mbdYle4

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7436103988_b0e4ff10e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80712288@N02/7436103988/)
The 2nd Penang Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80712288@N02/7436103988/) by 星得星:Stardex (http://www.flickr.com/people/80712288@N02/), on Flickr

wow! amazing. Thanks nazrey.

Builders plan to have second Penang bridge 90% ready by year-end
By ANDREA FILMER and KIATISAK CHUA
Photos by CHAN BOON KAI Wednesday October 3, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/10/3/north/12116158&sec=North

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2012/10/3/north/thumb.jpg

CONSTRUCTION on the second Penang link is surging ahead of schedule with 84.35% of the massive project completed.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd construction director Hamizol Ngah (pic) said as of Sept 20, work was 2.45% ahead of plan.

“We are two months ahead of schedule from the September 2013 deadline.

“We aim to have 90% of the bridge completed by end of the year,” he said in a briefing to state officials at the China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (M) Sdn Bhd (CHEC) office in Batu Maung, Penang.

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2012/10/3/north/bridge.jpg

The centrepiece: The main span of the second bridge is near Penang island

Hamizol said if work continued as planned, the two ends of the bridge would converge at the main navigation span in early April next year.

The 24km bridge will then go down in the history books as the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

Hamizol added that the second bridge has a lifespan of 120 years and can
handle earthquakes up to 7.5 on the Richter scale with its High Damping Rubber Bearing system.

Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng, who was present at the briefing, said two traffic dispersal projects on the island end of the bridge were expected to start next year.

“The Federal Government has approved RM262mil to upgrade the coastal road (Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway) from the entrance of the second bridge to the Penang Bridge.

“Aside from that, RM161mil has also been allocated to upgrade roads leading south to Teluk Kumbar from the Batu Maung interchange,” Hock Seng said.

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2012/10/3/north/bridge2.jpg

Progressing well: Construction of the second Penang bridge is now 84.35% complete

He added that both projects were expected to be completed about a year after the second Penang bridge opens for traffic in September 2013.

“We expect about 30% of the first bridge’s traffic (70,000 vehicle per day) to move to the second bridge, so we think traffic will be manageable until the two upgrading projects are completed,” Hock Seng said.

On a related matter, Hock Seng said the state had been informed that CHEC, one of the contractors of the second bridge, was not involved in the building of the Harbin Yangmingtan Bridge that collapsed in China on Aug 24.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had previously called for an immediate safety audit on the second Penang bridge following speculation that the China Communications and Construction Company Ltd, the parent company of CHEC, was the contractor of the collapsed bridge in the Heilongjiang province.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8194173675_79a00b2e55_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/8194173675/)
Penang Second Link Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/8194173675/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8194216963_a348401799_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/8194216963/)
Penang Second Link Sunrise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noorizeyes/8194216963/) by noorizeyes photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/noorizeyes/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8215011962_f27c5620cb_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8215011962/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8215016406_0a9152897d_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8215016406/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8213936145_e75e99a572_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8213936145/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8213933439_399ca9731c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8213933439/

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8409297151_c095fa5ff1_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archaeologist_d/8409297151/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8409297359_c8e6e524b0_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archaeologist_d/8409297359/

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8452444993_be6184f06e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452444993/)
IMG_0644 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452444993/) by HMY-picture (http://www.flickr.com/people/25612940@N03/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8452403355_39e5a07175_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452403355/)
IMG_0649 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452403355/) by HMY-picture (http://www.flickr.com/people/25612940@N03/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8453213710_3804c9f921_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8453213710/)
IMG_0641 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8453213710/) by HMY-picture (http://www.flickr.com/people/25612940@N03/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8452115081_ac3319fe8d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452115081/)
IMG_0634 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25612940@N03/8452115081/) by HMY-picture (http://www.flickr.com/people/25612940@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8215011962_f27c5620cb_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8215011962/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8215016406_0a9152897d_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8215016406/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8213936145_e75e99a572_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8213936145/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8213933439_399ca9731c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaygor395/8213933439/

the third picture really lots of memory... there is where i used to play my remote control speedboat... no bridge that time... lol

It has connected!

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2013/2/19/metrobiz/12725074&sec=metrobiz

:banana::banana:

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/562530_598455770165073_465085627_n.jpg

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/6/6/nation/20130606211147&sec=nation

Second Penang Bridge ramp collapses

GEORGE TOWN: A ramp leading to the still-under-construction second Penang bridge at Batu Maung collapsed at around 7pm, burying a car and two motorcycles under the debris.

Penang Second Bridge
http://zoomingtheview.blogspot.com/

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2013/06/14/09/00/9351827_974x632.JPG

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2013/06/14/09/00/9351828_974x580.JPG

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2013/06/14/09/01/9351847_974x612.JPG