GEORGE TOWN: No decision has been made with regards to the implementation of the Penang undersea tunnel project, the Penang government said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project's concession company and consultant had presented their findings on the project's feasibility study to the state executive council (Exco) last month.
"We took note of the findings. In actual fact, the project can be implemented subjected to compliance with conditions set by various technical agencies.
"However, the Exco had instructed state Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and the Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) to get written reviews from two important agencies with strong reservations about the project. They are the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPB).
"Since the undersea tunnel will be built across the channel and may involve the movement of vessels at the port, we need to get their written reviews.
"Once that is done, then we will make a final decision with regards to the implementation of the undersea tunnel project," he told newsmen here today.
Chow hoped that both PPC and PPSB would submit their written reviews the soonest as possible.
It was reported that the undersea tunnel and three highways project delivery partner, Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC), had completed the feasibility study at the end of 2020 after a four-year delay and submitted it to the state government in December the same year.
The feasibility study on the undersea tunnel project started in December 2014 and was supposed to be completed in 2016 but it was delayed due to various reasons.
CZC presented the draft feasibility report in September 2019 and it was amended with improvements based on reviews by various relevant agencies.
The undersea tunnel project is part of an RM6.3 billion mega-project in the state.
It is at the centre of graft allegations against former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
It was also reported that the Penang government had not ruled out the possibility of a third bridge to replace the undersea tunnel project connecting the island and the mainland.