State wants PORR realigned before giving nod

The Penang Government will only support the proposed Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project if the Federal Government agrees to realign the route.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the building of tunnels would be required for the PORR to avoid affecting residential areas.

He also said the present proposed alignment of the project would affect the Penang Municipal Park which the state government would not allow.

It has been reported that the PORR is a proposed 17km dual-lane highway which will link the northern part of the island, Tanjung Bungah to the Penang Bridge in the south.

Lim said yesterday that the state government’s proposed four infrastructure package costing RM8bil would involve minimal relocation of people.

He was speaking to reporters after giving out oranges to traders and customers at the Perak Road market.

The four projects comprise a 6.5km Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel, a 4.2km Gurney Drive-Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass, a 4.6km Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu-Bandar Baru Air Itam bypass and a 12km road connecting Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang.

Lim was earlier quoted in online news portals as saying that the state executive council had decided to award a company the tender for the four projects.

It was reported that Lim did not name the company but it is known that the package of projects will begin in 2015. - By The Star

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