THE long wait for a safer and better road is over for those living in Penang island’s southwest area as the RM42mil Teluk Kumbar-Pekan Genting road straightening and widening project has been completed after six years.
Housewife Rogayah Darus, 42, recalled how as a teenager, she travelled in fear on the old narrow road from her home in Kampung Paya, Teluk Kumbar, to school in Balik Pulau.
“When the public bus navigated the sharp corners, I feared plunging into the ravine, especially after hearing of the many accidents there.
“After I got my motorcycle licence, I got into an accident myself on the same treacherous road and injured my thigh badly.
“Now finally, I can travel safely from my home to the Balik Pulau market,” she said when stopped along the road yesterday morning for an interview.
Noor Fatimah Ahmad, 58, a housewife from Kampung Mesjid, Teluk Kumbar, said she always knew that the Federal Government would complete the project despite the numerous delays.
“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects here in recent years and it is one that ordinary folk like us can really benefit from,” she said.
For Penang: (from second left) Himmat Singh, Nor Mohamad, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad, Teng and Dr Hilmi taking part in the handover ceremony
The project’s handing over ceremony between state Public Works Department director Ahmad Latif Abdul Hamid and Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Himmat Singh was witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop in Balik Pulau yesterday.
In his speech, Nor Mohamed described the project as “significant and meaningful” for Penangites.
He said the Federal Government’s duty was to ensure the well-being of each and every citizen.
“Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the Federal Government has allocated some RM660mil for road improvement projects in Penang which shows that we have never sidelined the state.
“This is part of our long-term solution to address the state’s traffic congestion problem.
“Barisan Nasional will always ensure that our projects have a direct impact on the local communities,” he said.
He said the road overlooking the scenic Balik Pulau township was environmentally-friendly as minimal trees were cut during construction.
The road straightening and widening project is slotted under Package 2B of a three-package project to straighten and improve the roads between Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau.
It commenced in April 2005 and was originally scheduled for completion in April 2007 but was abandoned in May 2008 after several extensions of the deadline.
Sarahon Construction Sdn Bhd, a Class A bumiputra contractor from Sarawak, was finally selected to finish the project.
The project, which is deemed to be crucial for positive development of the Balik Pulau area, involves the building of six bridges to cut off road bends that will make journeys there both safer and shorter.
The new road will shorten the drive (from Bayan Lepas to Balik Pulau) by about 10 minutes while cutting down the distance from 4.5km to 3.3km.
Package 2A to widen and straighten the road between Teluk Kumbar and Bayan Lepas town was not approved under the 9th Malaysian Plan.
Package 1 to widen and improve a 2.5km stretch between Balik Pulau and Pekan Genting has been completed.
Ahmad Latif said the delay was due to technical problems at the project site.
“There was a long lapse before Sarahon took over in May 2009.
“Technical issues caused by the weather plagued the project site during that period when no work was carried out,” he said.
He added that the road was opened to traffic in stages since June 2011.
He said a tender would be called next month for additional road projects in Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau.
“Some 12km of road will be constructed and is expected to be ready by 2015,” he said.
Also present were state Barisan Nasional chief Teng Chang Yeow and state Barisan secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya. - The Star
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