All lanes on midsection of Penang Bridge open to traffic

GEORGE TOWN: All lanes on the midsection of the Penang Bridge are now open to traffic after the cable routine and maintenance works were completed 21 days ahead of schedule.

In a statement yesterday, PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) chief operating officer Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said the lanes were opened to users on Aug 1.

“The comprehensive inspection and maintenance works were crucial to ensure that the Penang Bridge cable structure and integrity are not compromised and safe at all times.

“The Penang Bridge cable is one of the most important structures that need to be inspected once every four years to ensure its safety and stability.

“To date, PLUS has spent about RM218.5mil since 2000 to carry out the Scheduled Penang Bridge Cable Routine and Maintenance Works.

“The figure included the RM16mil for this year’s Penang Bridge maintenance budget,” he said.

The Scheduled Penang Bridge Cable Routine and Maintenance Works were divided into two phases.

Phase 1 was carried out from east-bound (Penang Island to Seberang Prai) from Aug 22, 2017 to Feb 11 and Phase 2 was carried out from west-bound (Seberang Prai to Penang Island) from Feb 26 until July 31.

Throughout the routine and maintenance works period, Zakaria said PLUS had activated traffic diversion and contra flow lane at the stretch to ensure the safety of all 80,000 bridge users and the maintenance workers.

“As such, we wish to thank the Penang bridge users as well as the Government, enforcement agencies and local authorities for their attention, patience and cooperation throughout the routine and maintenance works period,” he added.