Penang undersea tunnel feasibility study delayed due to port expansion plans

The feasibility study on the proposed Penang undersea tunnel project aimed at reducing congestion in the state is yet to be completed due to certain factors.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said one of the factors was that there is still no decision on an expansion project for the Butterworth port.

“Based on information from the Penang government, the feasibility study has not been completed due to certain reasons. This includes the planning for the expansion of the port in Butterworth,” he said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat.

Loke was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas) who wanted to know the status of the undersea tunnel project.

For the record, the tunnel project envisions a 7.2km-long route connecting Gurney Drive on the island to Bagan Ajam on the mainland. It is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan 2023-2053.

The project is being wholly planned and carried out by the state government.

Loke said any construction of the tunnel for vehicle use would fall under the jurisdiction of the Works Ministry.

Source: NST Online