ZENITH SIGNS PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT ON UNDERSEA TUNNEL PROJECT WITH PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT
Penang, 6 October 2013: The Penang State Government today signed a preliminary agreement with Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd jointly with China Railway Construction Corporation International (CRCC) and Beijing Urban Construction Group to undertake feasibility studies and detailed design works (FSDD) for the planned RM6.3 billion Penang highway and traffic mitigation projects involving 3 major inland road works and an undersea tunnel linking Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam in Butterworth.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and President and Chairman of CRCC International Co.Ltd. Zhuo Lei.
“The FSDD is a critical component of the total project plan to ensure that we meet the requirements,” said Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd Chairman Dato’ Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli. “The initial phase of the FSDD project will take approximately a year and a half after which, upon approval, we will commence the initial phase of tunnel and road works.”
Zarul added that construction will only begin after the FSDD and the follow-up environmental impact assessment (DEIA) plans have been approved.
Concurrent with the preliminary agreement signing with the Penang State Government, Consortium Zenith BUCG also signed two agreements with CRCC. The China state-owned multinational is assigned to work on detailed project design, and engineering, materials procurement, and construction of the tunnel and expressways. The agreements signed by the 2 Chinese owned companies with the Penang state government is the first step towards the completion of the 4 major highways and tunnel by 2025 namely :
Tanjong Bunga- Teluk Bahang Paired Road: A four-lane 12 km road to be completed by 2018.
Ayer Itam- Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu- 4.6km expressway and a by-pass to be completed by 2019
Persiaran Gurney- Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu By-pass: 4.2km of Expressway to be completed by 2022
Third Tunnel Link : 6.5 km of undersea tunnel to be completed by 2025
CRCC will undertake 70% of the construction works whilst of Beijing Urban Construction Group will construct 30% of the project. They will provide completion guarantees for the whole project undertaken.
“We firmly believe this project will not only improve Penang’s economy, but also uplift the benefits to all Malaysians,” noted Lim. “Apart from multiple job opportunities, the contractors are committed to awarding contracts to Penangites and Malaysians. For the long term, we will also benefit from transfer of technology and technical skills from an award-winning and reputable company – all of which will enable local contractors to raise their standards and bid for local, regional, and international projects.” Further these major infrastructure projects will improve connectivity and help to bring about development in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU). This balanced development is to give SPU a link after Seberang Perai Tengah has the 1st Penang Bridge and Seberang Perai Selatan has the 2nd Penang Bridge to achieve “two halves, three links, one Penang”.
The 6.5km undersea tunnel the first in South-East Asia is estimated to be completed by 2025, will connect George Town and Butterworth, and three bypasses on the island state covering 30km that includes a undersea tunnel to reroute traffic. The project is also subject to compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment Studies. The other 3 highways will be toll-free.
The project will be funded exclusively by local and international banks. In terms of funding concessions, the Penang State government will award 110 acres of net land in its permitted landbank on Eastern & Oriental Bhd’s Sri Tanjung Pinang 2 and a 30-year toll concession to operate the tunnel with the same rate as that of the Penang 2nd Bridge.
“We working diligently to ensure that environmental and social and economic impact of this project have a positive effect in encouraging extended investments while flourishing the state’s economy,” added Zarul.
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Zenith 与槟州政府签署海底隧道工程初步协议书
槟州政府今天与Consortium Zenith BUCG私人有限公司与中国铁建国际集团有限公司(CRCC International Co.Ltd)、北京城建集团共同签署初步协议书，以针对63亿令吉的高速公路及交通纾缓工程，进行可行性研究及详细工程设计(FSDD)，这项工程涉及3条主干公路及一条连接新关仔角及北海峇眼阿占的海底隧道。
上述签约仪式在槟州首席部长林冠英与中国铁建国际集团有限公司（CRCC International Co.Ltd）董事长兼总经理卓磊的见证下完成。
Consortium Zenith BUCG私人有限公司主席拿督再鲁阿末祖基菲里说：“可行性研究及详细工程设计(FSDD)是整个工程计划最重要的环节。以确保我们能够达到相关要求。”最初阶段的工程计划，预计将需要1年半，一旦获得批准，我们将展开海底隧道及公路的初期工程。
再鲁也说，唯有完成可行性研究及详细工程设计(FSDD)，并在环境评估被批准后，建筑工程才会开始。
配合Consortium Zenith BUCG与槟州政府签署初步协议书，该公司也与中国铁建国际集团有限公司签署两份协议书。中国政府拥有的跨国公司将负责详细工程设计、工程、原料采购、海底隧道及高速公路的建筑。上述两家中国公司与槟州政府签署协议书，为将于2025年竣工的四项高速公路及隧道工程的第一步。工程详情如下：
丹绒武雅- 直落巴巷平行公路: 12公里四车道公路，2018年竣工
亚依淡- 敦林苍佑医生大道：4.6公里快速大道及一条绕道， 2019年竣工
新关仔角- 敦林苍佑医生大道: 4.2公里快速大道，2022年完工
第三通道: 6.5公里的海底隧道，预计2025年完工。
中国铁建将会负责70%的建筑工程，而北京城建集团将负责30%的工程。他们将会提供整个工程的竣工保证。
“我们坚信，这项工程不只会改善槟州的经济，也会让全国人民受惠。”林冠英说，除了无数的工作机会，承包商也承诺将工程合约颁给槟城人及马来西亚人。长期来说，我们也将从得奖及信誉良好的公司学习科技转移，这将让本地的承包商提升他们的水平，竞标本地、本区域及国际工程。
再说，这些主要的基建工程将能够改善槟威两地的连接，并协助威北的发展。这项平衡发展是为了让威北有一个连接点，目前威中有槟城大桥连接，而威南有槟城第二大桥连接，实现“两岸、三通、一个槟城。”
长达6.5公里的海底隧道，连接乔治市及北海，是东南亚第一个海底隧道，估计在2025年完工，而槟岛包括上述海底隧道及三条公路全长30公里，将重整交通。这项工程也必须符合环境影响评估的要求。三条高速公路将不会征收过路费。
这项工程特别由本地及国际银行资助。至于承建资金，槟州政府将以斯里丹绒槟榔2依恩奥有限公司的110英亩地段，以及30年的特许经营权，用与槟城第二大桥相同过路费，来经营海底隧道。
再鲁说“我们将努力确保这项工程的环境、社会及经济影响对槟州经济在促进投资方面起着积极的影响。