Undersea tunnel can alleviate traffic congestion: Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN: A proposed undersea tunnel to link Persiaran Gurney on the island to Bagan Ajam on the mainland can help in alleviating traffic congestion if an incident occurred on the Penang Bridge.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the suggested 7.2km tunnel could provide an alternative route for motorists and commuters.
“The public will have an alternative option if the tunnel is built,” he said in a press conference today.
Lim was commenting on the feared traffic congestion after part of the emergency lane of the Penang Bridge was closed for maintenance works.
The mainland bound section will be closed for six months starting on Tuesday while the island bound part will be closed for the subsequent six months.
Earlier, Lim disbursed RM1,000 to 230 school leavers as part of a state program to help defray the cost for those entering public universities.
He said an additional RM200 was given to two students who were pursuing their tertiary education to Sabah and Sarawak.
Lim also dismissed claims his government sidelined development in rural areas, pointing out his administration has spent RM2.4 billion to develop Seberang Perai.
“We have also built a dialysis center in Balik Pulau to cater for the people there,” he added.