Penang bridge’s third lane

The third lane on the Penang Bridge is expected to be completed by August 2009, according to the works minister, S. Samy Vellu. And the lane would probably be designated only for heavy vehicles to overcome congestion on the bridge.

In the meantime, heavy vehicles would still be allowed to use the Penang Bridge even during peak periods.

“Any plan to ban heavy vehicles from using the bridge would adversely affect business activities. After studying the proposal, we have decided to reject it and retain the existing rules,” he said before adding that congestion would also be overcome when the second bridge was completed.

This announcement comes from a man who once scoffed at the idea that Penang needed another new link. Having done that before, he now turns down the proposal to keep lorries off the bridge at peak hours.

So, with this Penang Bridge expansion only set to complete in August 2009 and the second Penang Bridge project set to take off only next year and with only goodness knowing when it can be completed or opened to traffic, it seems that we, the motorists who use the Penang Bridge daily from home to office and back, will still have to face the congestion at peak hours which can only get worse.

Of course, not Samy Vellu because he is sitting comfortably in his office in Kuala Lumpur and do not have to worry about Penang’s congestion.

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