Penang keeps third bridge and undersea tunnel in draft development plan
The 6.5km undersea tunnel from Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam and a proposed third bridge remain indicative in the draft Penang Structure Plan (RSNPP) 2040 (Review).
Source: EdgeProp Malaysia · August 17, 2026 at 7:01 PM · AI-assisted report
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PENANG, 18 AUGUST 2026 —
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The 6.5km undersea tunnel from Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam and a proposed third bridge remain indicative in the draft Penang Structure Plan (RSNPP) 2040 (Review).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told reporters that the projects stayed in the plan because the agreements remained valid and subject to development schedules.
“I am referring to the tunnel or bridge because we have already awarded the project to the company involved,” he said after opening the Publicity and Public Participation Programme for the draft plan on Monday.
The 6.5km undersea tunnel is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan. Chow said indicative inclusions like the tunnel or bridge may proceed only when the private sector or government schedules the development.
About 80 acres on Jerejak Island are privately owned; the rest is gazetted forest reserve, he said. Infrastructure may still be built in the reserve, but not other developments, and the announced projects are on private land.
The draft RSNPP 2040 balances growth between Penang island and Seberang Perai, and covers disaster risk planning in its policy framework.
Chow urged Penangites, ministries, local authorities, the private sector, NGOs and others to review the draft, submit feedback and challenge proposals on facts and public interest.
He stressed the plan is not final and invited scrutiny before the public consultation closes on Sept 9. The document is the state’s strategic plan for physical, economic, social and environmental development to 2040.
Related: Penang
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