Second Penang Bridge latest update

Full speed ahead

By ANDREA FILMER andrea@thestar.com.my

Photos by CHIN CHENG YEANG

THE building of the second Penang bridge has reached 65% completion — some 2% ahead of schedule. Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor said if work continued to progress well, the bridge could be completed two months before the projected date of November 2013. “Some of the bridge’s packages are ahead of schedule while some are behind, but on average it is 65% completed. “The development of the project is progressing as scheduled and I’m confident that the bridge will be completed before November 2013,” Shaziman said.

He said the 2% of work that was ahead of schedule provided a good “buffer” for the contractors ahead of the monsoon season. “There are many factors when it comes to construction projects of this size and this one is being conducted in the middle of the sea. “The pace may differ from month to month, but if conditions are favourable, construction may finish two months early,” Shaziman said.He added that construction was targeted to reach 70% by the end of the year with the overall cost of the bridge unchanged at RM4.5bil.He was speaking to reporters during a visit to the bridge’s Pier 90 where work on the superstructure is currently progressing.

During his visit, pressmen were also allowed to climb to the surface of the bridge for the first time. Shaziman also expressed disappointment that there were no industrial trainees working on the second Penang Bridge this year. “I have asked the implementing agency to get in touch with universities that have engineering schools, to send their students to this project.

“Last year, we had more than 50 university students during their practical training here. Perhaps there has been an oversight by the universities or some are unaware (of this opportunity) this year,” said Shaziman, adding that he would get in touch with the Higher Education Ministry about the matter. He said work on sizable projects like the second Penang Bridge was invaluable for students who wished to expand their knowledge and experience. “We want the local workforce to benefit as much as possible from this project,” he said, and urged the companies involved in the construction to also hire more local skilled workers.