Join the iconic Penang Second Bridge opening ceremony tonight
Let’s come to Penang and join the Penang Second Bridge opening ceremony tonight. The new landmark of Malaysia, Penang Second Bridge, is set to be officially opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on tonight, 1st of March 2014. The new link would be a boon to Penang tourism industry, including hotels and the homestay industry, with more local and foreign tourists flocking to the island.
If Busan has Gwangalli Bridge and Tokyo has the Rainbow Bridge, Malaysia has now the equally thrilling Penang Second Bridge.
(Image source: Wikipedia) Until I snap a nice photo of the bridge, I need to use this image from Wikipedia. Thanks.
The Penang Second Bridge (Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang, or JK2PP) is a dual carriageway toll bridge connecting Batu Kawan on the mainland Malaysia Peninsula with Batu Maung on the Penang Island. It is the second bridge to link the island to the mainland after the first Penang Bridge which started crossing the strait in 1985. The total length of the bridge is 24 km (15 mile), making it the longest bridge, not only in Malaysia but also South East Asia.
The construction of the bridge was undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd and UEM Builders Bhd in 2008. It has four lanes with two motorbike lanes, six intersections and equipped with 29 CCTV. 16.9 kilometres of the bridge will span across the Southern Straits which separates the island and Seberang Perai while 1.5 kilometres will stretch over Batu Maung and 6 kilometres through Batu Kawan. It is a seismic-resistant bridge incorporating the High Damping Rubber Bearing (HRDB) application to withstand earthquake tremors of up to 8.2 on the Richter-scale.
“The bridge is set to become the newest icon for the state and country’s tourism sector,” said the Penang Branch Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) chairman Johari Shafie. He expressed confidence that the new bridge would draw more local and foreign visitors and provide fresh prospects for local Penang tourist destinations such as the War Museum, Batu Maung Aquarium and Snake Temple in Batu Maung and Bayan Lepas.
Batu Kawan, which used to be rather deserted, is now showing signs of development with housing projects and even Swedish furniture company Ikea set to open its second branch in the state there.
For those who are coming to Malaysia, make sure to take a trip up North to Penang, one of the top detinations to visit in Malaysia, and join the Penang Second Bridge opening ceremony tonight.
During this Visit Malaysia Year 2014, snapping and witnessing this latest addition of the tourists attractions in Malaysia is something that you can’t miss to do. The bridge’s unique architecture will sure be great for tourists to experience crossing it, especially at night when it is lit colourfully. I can’t wait to drive up North for a nice photo shot of it at night! 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your travel photo blog
If you are driving, check out the route map here.
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
