GEORGE TOWN, Nov 19 — The Batu Ferringhi-Teluk Bahang stretch, which was closed to traffic due to a landslide and road collapse following a thunderstorm on November 7, was reopened yesterday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng attended the early morning re-opening event of the stretch of Jalan Ujong Batu, which had been closed for almost two weeks.

“I would like to thank the state Public Works Department director Salleh Awang for his commitment to get the road repaired within a week,” he said.

Also present was state works and utilities committee chairman Lim Hock Seng and Penang Water Supply Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Jesani Maidinsa.

The road closure had badly affected residents commuting to work and also tourists from nearby Batu Ferringhi to get to the attractions in Teluk Bahang.

Lim also thanked Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof for the immediate approval of RM700,000 for the repair works.

“People living in the Teluk Bahang vicinity have been looking forward for the re-opening of the road,” Lim told reporters at the site.

He said the department would continue to monitor the traffic movement at the location and carry out further work to strengthen its slopes.

“We are also planning to build another road to connect Teluk Bahang to the city,” Lim said, adding he hopes the people would support the project.

“The recent landslide reflects how important an alternative road is to connect these two areas.”

It was understood the alternative route to Teluk Bahang was expected to cost about RM900 million.

D’Heritage Coffee, Chocolate and Herbal Products owner Abdul Gafoor Sahul Hamid expressed relief the road had been re-opened as his business was badly affected by its closure.

“We had to endure losses for almost two weeks since the road was closed as no tourists could visit my premises. I would like to thank the authorities who had taken the initiative to repair the road,” Gafoor said.

Parkroyal Penang Resort marketing and communications manager Lim Hui Hui shared the same sentiment.

“Many of our staff, who live in Teluk Bahang could not come to work. We had to  hire temporary workers in the place of staff who are late for work,” Lim said.

She said their guests too could not visit popular attractions in Teluk Bahang like Entopia and Escape Resort.

Office worker S. Nathan, 32, said he had to use the 50km alternative route through Balik Pulau to go to his workplace in George Town.

“It is a relief I am now able to use the road to get to work without any hassle,” he said.