Jan 20 target for RM12m bridge upgrade

BATU KAWAN: Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) expects the upgrading and repair work on Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (JSAHMS) to be completed by Jan 20, 2017.

JKSB managing director Datuk Mohd Ashari Alias said Phase 1 (east bound) of the project, which began in July and covers an area from Batu Maung on Penang Island to Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai Selatan, was completed on Oct 31 while Phase 2 (west bound) started early this month.

He said Phase 2, which is to upgrade the embankment to Batu Maung and to eliminate the undulating issue from Km2.8 to Km3.1, was progressing well.

The RM12 million project was targeted for completion by Jan 20 next year at the earliest, he said.

Speaking to reporters during a site visit yesterday, Mohd Ashari said it was hoped that the project, upon completion, would be able to offer users a smoother, safer and comfortable ride.

He said JKSB was also anticipating an increase in the traffic volume on the bridge based on an uptrend reported since its opening in 2014.

The traffic volume on the bridge since its opening reached 5.2 million vehicles in 2015 while from January to October this year, it was 4.79 million.

Mohd Ashari also said that JKSB, as the JSAHMS concessionaire, had no plan to increase the present toll rate as per the agreement signed with the government.