There are mixed views on the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) in Penang, but some residents and schools are urging state officials to revise its alignment, reported The Star.
Those against it argue that the six-lane highway at Jalan Gottlieb will have a bad effect on St Nicholas’ Home Penang and the nine schools in the vicinity, including Phor Tay Institution and Penang Chinese Girls’ School.
“There are 6,000 students and 500 teachers in the schools and institutions on this stretch. And, PIL 1 will definitely affect their physical and mental well-being,” said St Nicholas’ Home executive director Daniel Soon, who is also the spokesperson for the group of residents and schools against PIL 1.
To persuade the authorities to change the highway’s alignment, the group submitted a memorandum and a petition with about 2,000 signatures to the state government. This was received by State Assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) special purpose vehicle boss Datuk Lim Hock Seng.
In July, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said PIL 1 will enable motorist to drive directly from Gurney Drive to Gottlieb Road, Sungai Keluang, Youth Park and the Second Penang Bridge.
“PIL 1 will allow motorists to travel from north to south in 15 minutes when currently it takes more than 30 minutes travelling time,” he noted, adding that it will become an important alternate route during peak hours.
However, some Penang residents expressed their opposition to the highway in August. The residents revealed that Chow had previously opposed the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) about 16 years ago.
“We are confused. In 2002, when Chow was in the opposition, he stood with us against PORR. Now that he is Penang’s Chief Minister, we are seeing PORR reborn as PIL 1,” said Sahabat Alam Malaysia Secretary Meenakshi Raman, who is also the Chairman of the Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association.
On the other hand, some Penangites support the controversial Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to address the traffic congestion in the roads leading to Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
In fact, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (Penang Branch) handed a petition with over 100 signatures in August that is calling the authorities to expedite PTMP’s implementation.
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This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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