Penang studies Third Link bridge as alternative to undersea tunnel, will seek port commission feedback

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 2 — The state government is still conducting a conceptual design study for the proposed Penang Third Link Bridge as an alternative to the undersea tunnel, before presenting it to the Penang Port Commission (PPC) for feedback.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government had approved a realignment study based on a bridge design concept, taking into consideration plans to expand Penang Port and the need to ease traffic congestion in Gurney Bay and its surrounding areas.

He said the proposed realignment involved shifting the route northwards to ensure it was compatible with Penang Port's expansion plans, while avoiding any disruption to port operations and vessel navigation routes.

“At present, the conceptual design study is underway, and its findings will be presented to the PPC for feedback and further consideration.

“This assessment aims to ensure that any decision on the project's implementation takes into account technical feasibility, financial implications, people's mobility needs, shipping safety and marine navigation, as well as the long-term benefits to the state's socioeconomic development,” he said.

He said this in response to a question from Teh Lai Heng (PH-Komtar) on the latest status, as of September 2026, of the three highway projects and one undersea tunnel project, during the state assembly sitting here today.

The proposed 6.5-kilometre undersea tunnel linking Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

On the North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) project, Zairil said the state government was reviewing part of the proposed alignment, covering the route from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, to ensure that it took into account technical suitability, local sensitivities, population density and the risk of soil erosion.

In this regard, he said the terms of the Sub-Agreement (SA) were being finalised before it could be signed.

“At the same time, the state government is also undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for part of the new alignment to ensure that the proposed development takes into account transportation needs, safety and the interests of local residents,” he said.

The NCPR project is part of a package involving three major roads and a tunnel, which was awarded in 2013. It involves the construction of a 10.61-kilometre highway, comprising an 8.41-kilometre land route and a 2.2-kilometre coastal viaduct linking Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2031. Upon completion, travel time between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang is expected to be reduced from 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours to just seven minutes. — Bernama

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乔治市，11月2日讯——州政府仍在对拟建的槟城第三通道大桥进行概念设计研究，以作为海底隧道的替代方案，之后会将研究成果提交给槟城港务局（PPC）征求意见。

州基础设施、交通和数字委员会主席扎伊里尔·基尔·佐哈里表示，州政府已批准一项基于桥梁设计概念的重新调整研究，该研究考虑到了扩建槟城港的计划以及缓解葛尼湾及其周边地区交通拥堵的需要。

他表示，拟议的调整方案是将航线向北移动，以确保其与槟城港的扩建计划相兼容，同时避免对港口运营和船舶航行路线造成任何干扰。

“目前，概念设计研究正在进行中，研究结果将提交给规划与规划委员会（PPC）征求意见和进一步考虑。

他说：“这项评估旨在确保任何有关项目实施的决定都能考虑到技术可行性、财务影响、人们的出行需求、航运安全和海上航行，以及对国家社会经济发展的长期益处。”

在今天州议会的一次会议上，他回答了郑来兴（希望联盟-光大）关于截至 2026 年 9 月三个高速公路项目和一个海底隧道项目的最新进展情况的问题。

拟建的 6.5 公里海底隧道将连接葛尼大道和槟城大陆的峇眼阿占，这是槟城交通总体规划 (PTMP) 的一部分。

关于北海岸双车道公路（NCPR）项目，扎伊里尔表示，州政府正在审查拟建路线的一部分，即从丹绒武雅到直落巴巷的路线，以确保其考虑到技术适用性、当地敏感性、人口密度和土壤侵蚀风险。

在这方面，他表示，在签署之前，子协议（SA）的条款正在最终确定中。

“与此同时，州政府也在对新路线的部分路段进行环境影响评估（EIA），以确保拟议的开发项目考虑到交通需求、安全和当地居民的利益，”他说。

NCPR 项目是 2013 年授予的三条主要道路和一条隧道工程项目的一部分。该项目包括修建一条 10.61 公里的高速公路，其中 8.41 公里为陆路，2.2 公里为沿海高架桥，连接丹绒武雅和直落巴巷。

工程预计将于2026年开工，2031年竣工。建成后，丹绒武雅和直落巴巷之间的通行时间预计将从高峰时段的30至45分钟缩短至仅7分钟。——马新社

吉兰丹州务大臣表示，该州在2024年和2025年花费了1086万令吉用于援助贫困家庭进行房屋修缮。

武吉阿曼：周三提交给总检察署的调查文件显示，蕉赖拘留所死亡事件中的伤势并非自残造成。

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