GEORGE TOWN: A DAP assemblyman today urged the Penang government to do away with the proposed three paired roads project and replace it with the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system instead.
Tanjung Bunga assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu said an underground MRT line connecting all of Penang island would be better as it would have a minimal impact on the environment.
He said constructing more new roads would only lead to higher vehicle volume, which may not solve the already-choking congestion problem.
“The MRT rail system is a better bet. Just look at the newly-launched MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line...it is smooth, convenient and comfortable for the users.
“Many big cities around the world are resorting to the MRT rail system," he told newsmen at his service centre here today.
Teh said the high cost (of the MRT rail system) should not be a hindrance to building a system that is good for the people.
"We need the infrastructure to solve the traffic woes, but such a solution should not cause further inconvenience to the people or at the expense of the environment,” he added.
The RM6.34 billion paired road project as well as undersea tunnel plans are undertaken by Consortium Zenith.
Last week, the Tanjung Bungah Residents' Association had called on the Penang government to scrap the 10.53km North-Costal Paired Road (NCPR) project from Tanjung Bungah to Telok Bahang, saying that it lacked proper cost-benefit analysis and justification.
The other two proposed paired roads connect Gurney Drive and Ayer Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Teh also demanded that the state government provide a detailed explanation on the NCPR, noting that the 10.53km road starts at Jalan Lembah Permai in Tanjung Bungah and ends at Lengkok Teluk Bahang.
“There is no connectivity between Jalan Lembah Permai and Tanjung Tokong down to Gurney Drive. This can lead to bottlenecks along that road. What has the state government to say to this?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Teh also launched an online voting system on his website - www.tanjongbunga.com - for Tanjung Bungah residents to vote on the proposed NCPR.
Residents have one month to cast their vote for or against the NCPR.
"We will forward all feedback from residents in a report to the Penang government for further action," he added.