GEORGE TOWN, Feb 17 — The RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan that will include massive infrastructure works for a more comprehensive public transportation network is expected to be rolled out by 2017, the state government said today.
Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said six firms have submitted bids as possible project delivery partners (PDP) in the massive project, after bidding during the request for proposal (RFP) closed yesterday.
Of the six bidders, which include several consortiums, three are public listed companies and two are foreign firms.
Chow gave his assurance, however, that all are notable construction companies with the relevant expertise required.
The funding for the multi-billion master transport plan will depend mostly on the proposals submitted by the bidders, he added.
“It may involve land swaps like the undersea tunnel project with Konsortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd so we will have to study the proposals first to see which is viable,” he told a press conference today.
The state government will take a few months to study all the proposals before appointing the successful bidder, he said.
“We hope to announce the appointment by May and sign the agreement by June this year and they will need to take a couple years to finalise engineering plans before rolling out the projects by 2017,” he said.
Chow said the original plan was to appoint only one PDP, but because the massive project involves numerous packages, the state may consider appointing two PDPs to split the works required for the sake of better management.
The Penang Transport Master Plan, which seeks to resolve traffic congestion woes on the island, includes proposals for a more comprehensive public transportation system network such as the construction of an LRT line, more public buses, an undersea tunnel connecting the island with the mainland and the expansion of major roads.
