Penang Second Bridge

Quoted from The Star

By ANDREA FILMER, The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The cost of the second Penang Bridge has ballooned from RM2.7bil to RM4.5bil within a year and the state government wants an explanation.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there was no reason for such a huge increase as the official rate of inflation in 2007 was around 2.3%.

“On one hand, the federal government says there is a 2% inflation rate, but at the same time they have allowed a 60% increase of about RM1.6bil for the second bridge.

“If the inflation rate is 2%, then the cost of the bridge should only rise by 2%, and if inflation is truly at 60%, then our salaries should be raised 60%,” Lim said after opening a building exhibition at the Penang International Sports Arena.

He said the federal government had to explain the steep increase in costs as Penangites would eventually have to bear the expense through toll rates.

Do we need the second bridge. As a Penangnite I do not think so. The concept for the second bridge is not really to ease the traffic flow but rather for the cash flow into someone pockets.

The widening of the first bridge to three lanes on each side is in progress, that should help ease the traffic flow for at least the moment. The state Government should stop the construction of the second bridge and utilise the cost to improve the Island transportation system and the ferry services.

Some may not agree to the underground MRT system but do a quick study and start something be it the monorail or the tram system. Penang is really suffocating with no real and functioning public transport.

Should the Federal Government insist on the second bridge, tell them to open the book on the actual costing. If UEM cannot build as per original cost, ask the Chinese to build the whole thing, I am very sure they can built it at a much lower cost that UEM is asking for.