NCPR Package 1 to Provide Alternative Route from Tanjong Bungah to Teluk Bahang

GEORGE TOWN, February 28 – The Penang state government has officially approved the construction of the Northern Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) Package 1, a major infrastructure initiative designed to provide an alternative route between Tanjong Bungah and Teluk Bahang. This project, undertaken by Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn. Bhd. (CZC), is a key component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), aimed at easing congestion, improving road safety, and enhancing accessibility to key tourism destinations along the island’s northern corridor.

The 10.61-kilometer stretch will include an 8.41-kilometer main road and a 2.2-kilometer coastal section, strategically avoiding densely populated residential areas such as Jalan Chee Seng, Jalan Chan Siew Teong, Marvista, and Beverly Hills. Once completed within the projected five-year timeline, the new route is expected to reduce travel time from the current 30–45 minutes to just seven minutes, offering a seamless and efficient driving experience without toll charges.

The project will be funded through a combination of land swaps and private sector investment. The Penang state government will finance the 4.88-kilometer segment from Tanjong Bungah to Jalan Sungai Emas via a land exchange agreement with CZC, while the company will bear the cost of the remaining 5.73 kilometers from Jalan Sungai Emas to Teluk Bahang, with reimbursement through future development projects in Penang. The total estimated cost of the NCPR Package 1 stands at RM2.43 billion, including RM500 million allocated for land acquisition.

Key junctions along the route include intersections at Jalan Sungai Emas, Jalan Batu Ferringhi (Chin Farm), and Jalan Teluk Bahang, ensuring seamless connectivity to surrounding areas. The project will also undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review, expected to take approximately 1.5 years, followed by five years of construction. Once operational, the new road is set to improve traffic flow, boost local tourism, and strengthen Penang’s infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth.