Penang Bridge – connecting the island to the mainland

The 13.5-kilometre Penang Bridge which stands at 8.4 km is above water and is one of the longest bridges in Asia.

Before 1985, transportation between the island and the mainland was solely dependent on the state-owned Penang Ferry Service that plys between Butterworth and George Town. For using the ferry services in Penang, motorists need to pay toll fare while heading to the island. There is no charge for leaving the island. On 14 September 1985, commuters had an alternative option. They could reach the island or mainland via the newly launched Penang Bridge which was financed by the Federal Government at a total cost of RM800 million (excluding the cost of land acquisition).

An engineering wonder takes shape

The idea of building the Penang Bridge was initiated by the late Tun Abdul Razak, the 2nd Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1960s. Under the 3rd Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn in 1970s, plans for building the Bridge was drawn up. However, it was only during the 4th Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1982 that the construction of the bridge started. Three years and nine months later, it was completed and opened to the public.

The main contractor of the project was Hyundai Engineering and Construction. Co. Ltd from Korea with consulting engineers from Howard Needles and Tammen, Bergendoff Intl. Inc. SA/JK (SEA).

Constructed with a 6.2 km dual carriageway and 2.2 km three lanes at the main span, this Bridge became the only physical link between the Mainland of Peninsular Malaysia and Penang Island. Seen from the Penang Island interchange, the channel crossing consists of elevated bridge structures known as "Cable Stayed Concrete Girders".

My sister was the secretary to Ir Chai Yen Chong, the Project Director in-charge of the Penang Bridge Project of the Malaysian Highway Authority. I was privileged to join them on one of their site visits to the main span via a speed boat. To actually view the construction of the bridge first hand was an experience. Ir Chai explained that only after the piling and laying the foundation for the main structures supporting the bridge, could the roads be built. Like a fast forward movie, the structure emerged from the sea and from there, roads spreads out like wings from each structure at the same speed and met in the middle, high above the sea. Every piece of construction followed the precise calculation of the wonders of engineering.

Back at Ir Chai's office, there were other proposed designs for Penang Bridge, but the one selected was the best. Its distinctive design and features saw the Penang Bridge winning awards. In 1986, it won the Grand Award in the United States of America Engineering Excellence Competition sponsored by the Council of Consulting Engineers, Washington. In 1993, it won the FIABCI Special Award (Development and Construction Phase Category) from the International Real Estate Federation of Malaysia.

Popular tourist attraction

Since its opening, the Penang Bridge has become an iconic part of George Town. Like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge, Penang Bridge has contributed significantly to the rapid development of Penang both as a tourist as well as an industrial centre.

Every year the Penang Bridge Run takes place on the Penang Bridge itself and along the scenic coastal highway of George Town. This is the only time of the year when the bridge is closed for several hours in the wee hours of the morning. The biggest run in the country incorporates a marathon, a half-marathon and a quarter-marathon. The Run caters both to serious runners and amateurs.

Bridge Facilities

To monitor traffic flow and bridge security, the management has a 24-hour closed circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at nine locations along the laybys and main span. The CCTV cameras were connected to the Penang Bridge Communication Centre. There were five CCTV cameras installed on the mainland and another five units on Penang Island. This was to enhance traffic monitoring surveillance and it was necessary to immediately disseminate such information of incidences or congestion to road users.

Penang Bridge was also equipped with emergency telephones (ET) which were located along both bounds at 1.2 km intervals along the Bridge laybys and the main span.

In designing the Toll Booths facility, provision was made for 10 motorcycle lanes and 14 lanes for other classes of vehicles that give motorists a choice of two drive-through options using SmartTAG and Touch 'n Go. Payment by cash was acceptable at all lanes excluding the SmartTAG lanes.

On March 31, 2006, the Malaysian Government announced a second bridge project, tentatively named the Penang Second Bridge, to be built under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. This was greatly needed to accommodate the heavy and congested traffic on the Penang Bridge especially during peak hours or when accidents happened.

Motorists who are in need of assistance, can call the Penang Bridge HOTLINE at 1300-1300-13.

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