Air Itam bypass 93% done, due April 2027 after two delays

The Air Itam bypass is 93.19% complete and is due to finish in April 2027. Penang’s state assembly heard on 2 November that it will open only after safety checks.

The road links Bandar Baru Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. It began as the Package Two bypass project, and some residents earlier raised concerns about it.

Here is why it was delayed, what it cost and where the three other road packages stand.

Why the bypass slipped to 2027

First, the progress. Penang Transport, Infrastructure and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari gave the figure. The Air Itam bypass was 93.19% done at 30 September, he said.

Next, the original date. The road was due to finish on 31 January 2025. The first extension moved that date to 31 October 2026.

The reason was late handover of the site to the contractor. Also, that hurt its ability to start work on schedule.

Then, the second extension. It moved the date to 12 April 2027. Design approval was late for road sections under the Malaysian Highway Authority and PLUS Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the work goes on. Zairil said the state and the contractor will keep building the parts that approvals do not affect.

Finally, the delayed sections will speed up as soon as approvals and technical needs are met.

Cost, safety checks and opening

First, the cost. The original contract was RM851.04 million. It rose to RM851.97 million after one variation order.

In detail, the order covered moving a sewer pipe owned by Indah Water Konsortium. It came to RM930,105.

Next, the opening. Zairil said the road opens only after testing and commissioning are done. A Road Safety Audit must also be approved.

So April 2027 is the finish date for the works. It is not a promise that cars will use the road that month.

Also, the earlier update. On 24 October, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said contractor financing keeps work on track. Some Gurney Bay land has not sold.

Overall, the 5.7 km road is meant to ease traffic on Green Lane and Jalan Masjid Negeri, the report said.

Where the other three packages stand

First, Package 1. The North Coastal Paired Road would run from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang. The state is reviewing part of the route. It cites technical fit, local concerns, population and soil erosion risk.

Also, its sub agreement is being finalised. An environmental impact assessment is under way for parts of the new route.

Next, Package 3. It would link Persiaran Gurney to the bypass. The state is still reviewing the project and will decide its direction after that.

Also, Package 4. The state is studying the Penang Third Link as a bridge, in place of the earlier undersea tunnel.

Then, the state approved a realignment study with a bridge design. It considers the port expansion and Gurney Bay traffic.

Meanwhile, a concept design study is under way. It goes to the Penang Port Commission for feedback.

For now, only Package 2 is being built. We will update this story when the state sets a date for the other packages.

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