Penang tunnel not necessary for now

Penang does not need another bridge or tunnel for the next 20 years, as its current infrastructure is sufficient, said UiTM Town and Regional Planning lecturer Assoc Prof Ahmad Fuzi Arshad.

He described Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng's proposal for an underwater tunnel linking the island and mainland as not relevant for the time being.

"I don't see the need for this tunnel for the next 20 years, as the Penang Bridge and the second bridge project are sufficient for now," he told Bernama.

Lim recently announced a RM6.3 billion underwater tunnel project to link the island's Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland, to reduce traffic congestion and generate income for the state.

Ahmad Fuzi said that the volume of traffic at the Johor - Singapore causeway was much higher compared to Penang.

"The project is a difficult promise to deliver as a tunnel costs more than a bridge and will surely need Federal government allocations and involve the Land Public Transport Commission," he said.

Ahmad Fuzi said the cost could also escalate according to building material market rates and if it exceeded the budget, the private sector may have to takeover the project which would lead to problems such as the excess expenditure being borne by the people.

Meanwhile, AJM Planning and Urban Design Group managing director Norliza Hashim agreed with the view of Ahmad Fuzi that the project was irrelevant for now, and unnecessary as the second bridge was scheduled for completion Sept this year.

"There are other cheaper and more efficient alternatives, such as increasing the Penang Bridge's capacity by introducing a train track or Light Rail Transit on one of its lanes," she said.

She also suggested that the government or private sector develop a water transport system such as water taxi service which was very popular in New York (US), Cardiff (UK) and Melbourne (Australia).