Penang: Physical works for the construction of the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway project, near here, are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year and be completed in 2030. Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari announced that the project involves a 17.4-kilometre highway and a 9-km elevated alignment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a Value Assessment workshop was conducted from February 24 to February 27, involving the Ministry of Works, Malaysia Highway Authority, PLUS, and Penang state government agencies, including the Seberang Perai City Council. An agreement has been reached with PLUS to start physical works in the fourth quarter of this year. The actual cost will be finalised with PLUS, with expected savings from the initially announced RM3 billion.
The project will be executed in eight phases, including an intersection without traffic lights and two elevated U-turns to facilitate smoother traffic flow. Critical intersections such as the Juru Utara Elevated Intersection (Autocity), the Penang Bridge Intersection, and Jalan Baru Overpass will be upgraded, along with additional flyovers from Jalan Tun Hussein Onn to the North-South Expressway.
Zairil explained that the highway concept will separate local traffic from direct traffic flow, similar to implementations in Ipoh, Perak, where northbound users do not need to exit the Juru toll, and southbound users do not exit at the Sungai Dua toll. This aims to reduce severe congestion in the area, considered the most congested route in Penang.
The project will also incorporate a Traffic Management Plan to mitigate impacts on road users during construction. Further discussions with involved parties are planned before finalisation. The state government is committed to ensuring the project proceeds smoothly for Penang’s benefit.
Zairil added that updates on the project’s developments will be provided periodically, with final details expected within the next six months. Expressing gratitude, he thanked all parties involved in realising the project, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for approving it in the budget presentation.
The Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway is one of several initiatives announced for Penang by Anwar in Budget 2025, alongside the Penang Light Rail Transit, the expansion of the Penang International Airport, and Batu Kawan 3 Industrial Park. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted the urgent traffic situation, urging the federal government’s involvement in the expressway project, currently reviewed for implementation through a public-private partnership with PLUS Malaysia Berhad and other agencies.