ID :
43505
Sat, 01/31/2009 - 14:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/43505
The shortlink copeid
PENANG BRIDGE TO BE REGRADED IN AUGUST
PENANG (Malaysia), Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The Penang Bridge will be regraded either to Class C or D upon the completion of the bridge's widening project in August, indicating that it is no longer prone to traffic congestion, Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.
He said that previously, the bridge was classified under Class F because it
could easily get congested during heavy rain or in the event of a minor
accident.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the State Economic Action Council in
this northern city Saturday, he said, traffic congestions, which had been the
main concern among motorists, would be a thing of the past in August.
"God willing, congestions on the Penang Bridge will be history in August,"
he said.
The 13.5km bridge, the longest in Southeast Asia and among 10 longest
bridges in the world, was built in 1982 and completed three years later.
However, there has been a drastic increase in the number of vehicles passing
through the bridge over the years, which necessitated the construction of a
third lane.
The project to widen the bridge started in 2005 and the lane was partially
opened to the public since Jan 23 in anticipation of an increase in the number
of vehicles during the Chinese New Year.
Meanwhile, Nor Mohamed said, the meeting Saturday also discussed various
issues including the implementation of Ninth Malaysia Plan projects in northern
state of Penang.
The meeting also took note of issues related to the economy and considered
measures to overcome them, he said.
"In tackling the effect of the global economic slowdown, the federal and
state government should cooperate closely to ensure the people's well-being are
taken care of," he said.
-- BERNAMA
He said that previously, the bridge was classified under Class F because it
could easily get congested during heavy rain or in the event of a minor
accident.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the State Economic Action Council in
this northern city Saturday, he said, traffic congestions, which had been the
main concern among motorists, would be a thing of the past in August.
"God willing, congestions on the Penang Bridge will be history in August,"
he said.
The 13.5km bridge, the longest in Southeast Asia and among 10 longest
bridges in the world, was built in 1982 and completed three years later.
However, there has been a drastic increase in the number of vehicles passing
through the bridge over the years, which necessitated the construction of a
third lane.
The project to widen the bridge started in 2005 and the lane was partially
opened to the public since Jan 23 in anticipation of an increase in the number
of vehicles during the Chinese New Year.
Meanwhile, Nor Mohamed said, the meeting Saturday also discussed various
issues including the implementation of Ninth Malaysia Plan projects in northern
state of Penang.
The meeting also took note of issues related to the economy and considered
measures to overcome them, he said.
"In tackling the effect of the global economic slowdown, the federal and
state government should cooperate closely to ensure the people's well-being are
taken care of," he said.
-- BERNAMA
