Penang: Package 1 of the Juru-Sungai Dua Toll Plaza Traffic Dispersal Project (PTJSD) has reached 40.79 percent completion, announced Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He stated that completion is expected by October 2027, with Packages 2 to 5 currently in the evaluation and tendering stages.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chow detailed that the tender process for the remaining packages is set to conclude by the end of 2026, with construction slated to begin early next year. He emphasized that land acquisition and utility relocation issues will be tackled simultaneously to ensure smooth progress of the project. Chow also highlighted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been closely monitoring the project, with regular oversight and monthly meetings to promptly address any arising issues.

The 17.3-kilometre PTJSD project spans South, Central, and North Seberang Perai, adopting a traffic separation concept similar to that used in Jelapang, Ipoh, Perak. Chow noted that the state government is actively assisting in the land acquisition process, which has progressed to Section 8 and is expected to be presented by the Penang State Director of Lands and Mines on September 17.

With an estimated cost of RM3 billion, the PTJSD aims to alleviate congestion by redirecting 30 percent of traffic to a new direct route between Juru and Sungai Dua, significantly cutting journey times during peak hours from one hour to just 20 minutes. The project, expected to benefit 200,000 road users daily, is a collaborative effort between the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority to reduce congestion along the critical Juru-Sungai Dua corridor, a vital route connecting Penang with northern peninsula states.