Penang seeks funds to widen road

THE Penang Government has applied for a RM240mil allocation from the Federal Government to widen Jalan Bayan Lepas, said state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng.

He said the application was made late last year under the 10th Malaysia Plan, adding that he was informed by the Public Works Department that the chances of getting approval for the allocation were high.

Lights on: The new traffic lights system was switched on at the Jalan Dato Ismail hashim junction in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

The 7.2km-stretch earmarked for the widening project starts after the flyover at the Penang International Airport, and heads towards the Bayan Lepas town right up to Puspakom in Teluk Kumbar.

“This will become an important stretch when the Second Penang Bridge is completed in 2013.

“If the two-way road is not upgraded, there will be massive traffic jams then,” he told reporters after switching on the traffic lights at the junction of Jalan Datuk Ismail Hashim in Bayan Lepas, Penang, yesterday.

Lim said it was crucial for the widening project to be implemented soon as the traffic flow at the stretch was now heavy.

“I really hope the Federal Government will take into consideration the need to upgrade the stretch of road for future development,” he added.