2nd Penang Bridge 89pc completed

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: RM4.45b cost will take at least 20 years to recoup

THE Second Penang Bridge is on track for completion by September next year, said Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

He said the bridge was now 88.5 per cent completed and on target to achieve 90 per cent completion by year-end.

"We are on track to complete the bridge next year ahead of schedule by two months, in September," he told a media conference at the Second International Seminar on the Design and Construction of the Second Penang Bridge, here yesterday.

Ismail said development costs of the new bridge was RM4.45 billion.

The traffic projection for the bridge was 25,000 users per day.

"It will take us a long time (to recover the construction cost). At least 20 years. But we are trying to save money in the construction and financial costs.

"We don't want to trouble the government. As far as possible, we are trying to be independent."

The Second Penang bridge will be a seismic-resistant bridge that can withstand tremors of up to 8.2 on the Richter scale with an epicentre of about 300km away.

The seminar was officiated by Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Himmat Singh.

Upon completion, the 24km-long bridge, of which 16.9km will be over water, will become the longest bridge in Southeast Asia.

It will also become the longest bridge in the world that has incorporated the High Damping Rubber Bearing application in its construction.

The two-day International Seminar on the Design and Construction of the Second Penang Bridge is jointly organised by JKSB and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

The seminar involves 13 technical working papers on the design and construction of the bridge. 

 http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/2nd-penang-bridge-89pc-completed-1.178286