Penangites, we’ve got some bad news for you.
Starting next Tuesday (22nd August), certain sections of the Penang bridge will be closed for a 1-year period. This is to help facilitate bridge inspection and maintenance works. No doubt, this will affect the 82,000 vehicles that cross the bridge on a daily basis.
“The stay cables are the bridge’s most important component and safety checks need to be conducted on it every 4 years,” PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) chief operating officer Mohammad Fuad Khusairi was quoted as saying. A lane heading from the island to the mainland will be closed for 6 months. Subsequently, 1 lane from the opposite direction (Seberang Perai to Penang Island) will be closed for the next 6 months.
In order to cope with the high traffic flow during peak hours, a tidal flow lane will be activated between 4pm and 8pm in the first 6 months. A similar lane will be opened between 6am to 10am in the following 6 months (February until August 2018). Drivers are advised to use the 2nd Penang bridge or an alternate route during this period.
Motorists can stay up to date the latest traffic information via PLUS or popular traffic apps such as Waze and Google Maps.
Sources: Paul Tan, The Star/ Featured image: Bong.
