Penang 2nd Bridge completion date JAN 2011

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

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

"I want this bridge to be built on time. The UEM Group has also made this promise to me and I want it to be fulfilled. "I don't want excuses such as sub contractors not delivering or anything else to delay the project," he said, adding efforts must also be made to ensure there were no cost over-runs.

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

He said this would prevent additional costs to the project. "I am stressing this as we have planned the project meticulously and there should be no hiccups in its implementation," he added.

He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the 24km bridge which will link Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland. The Batu Kawan-Batu Maung alignment will link motorists to the North-South Expressway on the mainland and the Bayan Lepas Highway on Penang island.

My point of view: It looks kinda ugly especially the two platform in the middle of the bridge. Sorry to say but it looks like 2 testicles balls. But anyway its good to hav another bridge to ease the traffic over @ the original Penang Bridge