GEORGE TOWN, Nov 13 — Construction of three paired roads proposed as part of the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project here should begin in the second half of next year, said a state official.

Public works and utilities committee chairman Lim Hock Seng (DAP — Bagan Jermal) said the project was pending approval from the Department of Environment (DOE).

"The detailed environment impact assessment (DEIA) was completed on April 21 this year and submitted to DOE for approval,” he said.

He admitted that there was a delay in the commencement of the project, but said DOE approval was needed before land acquisition for the roads and construction could start.

"If we proceed with land acquisition and later DOE rejects the DEIA, we will not be able to get back the money spent in land acquisition,” he said when replying an oral question at the legislative assembly.

Lim said the three paired roads projects were split into three packages: Package One that will connect Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi and, later, Teluk Bahang; Package Two to connect Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam; and Package Three that will link Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.