The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge or Penang Second Bridge(Malay: Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah or Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang) is a dual carriagewaytoll bridge in Penang, Malaysia. It connects Bandar Cassia (Batu Kawan) in Seberang Perai on mainland Peninsular Malaysia with Batu Maung on Penang Island. It is the second bridge to link the island to the mainland after the first Penang Bridge. The total length of the bridge is 24 km (15 mi) with length over water at 16.9 km (10.5 mi), making it the longest bridge in Malaysia and the longest in Southeast Asia. China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC), a main contractor for the second bridge was expected to start work on the second Penang bridge in November 2007 and complete the project in 2011, but the completion date was then postponed to May 2012, and later to February 2014.^[4] Construction actually started in November 2008. To reduce the cost of construction, its design was then modified to resemble the first cable stayed Penang Bridge. The bridge has been built with a large loan from the People's Republic of China to continue and maintain the economic relationship between China and Malaysia.^[5] The bridge was officially opened on 1 March 2014 and was named after the fourteen Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah and was assigned with the route number .

Overview

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is a High Impact Project (HIP) launched under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Being a High Impact Project, it is seen as a key catalyst in the socio-economic development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) of Malaysia. The project is being delivered by a special purpose Concession Company formed by the Government of Malaysia, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB). The bridge measuring a total of 24 km in length is being constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia, as well as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Construction & Communications Group (CCCG). Construction of the bridge, linking Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on Penang Island, began in November 2008 and is currently projected completed on February 2014. The bridge was opened to traffic on 2 March 2014.^[6]

Route background

The Kilometre Zero of the expressway starts at Batu Kawan Interchange, at its interchange with the North-South Expressway Northern Route , the main expressway of the central of Peninsular Malaysia.

History

Planning

In the year 1995, the idea to build a second bridge linking Seberang Perai to Penang Island was suggested by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia's Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad and the 3rd Chief Minister of Penang's Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. In August 2006, the Malaysian federal government unveiled a plan to build the Penang Second Bridge in the Ninth Malaysia Plan. On 12 November 2006, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Penang Second Bridge was performed by the 5th Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Construction

After months of soil survey work and test piling work, CHEC and UEM announced that the project was on track for completion in 2011. Construction work was expected to begin in January 2008.^[7]

On April 2008, the government announced that the project was to be delayed by 9 months due to land acquisition, design issues, and also the rising costs of building materials.^[8] Newly elected Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng proposed a toll discount for any delays on the project^[9] and also expressed disappointment regarding the construction delay.^[10]

On July 2008, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi reported that the loan for the bridge risked being withdrawn if the shareholder agreement between UEM Builders Berhad and its joint-venture partner CHEC was not inked by August 2008. It was reported that there were disagreements between the two parties on the apportionment of the cost of building the bridge although the issue was expected to be resolved quickly due to UEM having a variation on the price on its portion.^[11]

On 8 November 2008, the construction of the Penang Second Bridge by CHEC finally commenced.^[12]

On 3 October 2012, media reports indicated that the bridge was 84% complete, and that the bridge was due to be completed approximately two months ahead of the deadline of September 2013.^[13]

On 20 April 2013, the final closure of the cable stayed bridge at the main navigational span of the Penang Second Bridge was completed and thus signified the completion of the construction of the bridge and physically connecting Batu Maung on the Island and Batu Kawan on the Mainland.

On 30 April 2013, the sixth Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak became the country’s first leader to use the 24 km Penang Second Bridge to cross from the island to the mainland to attend a function in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai.

The bridge was originally planned for completion on 8 November 2013 and to be opened to the public by the end of November.^[14] However, the opening day of 8 November 2013 was postponed and the bridge would be opened to traffic on 1 March 2014.^[15][16]

Opening

The opening ceremony of the Penang Second Bridge was held at 8:30 pm at Saturday night on March 1, 2014 and was officially opened by the sixth Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.^[17] The bridge was official named as Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge after the fourteen Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah.^[18][19][20] At Sunday midnight on March 2, 2014, the bridge was opened to traffic at 12:01 am after the official opening ceremony.

Incidents

Penang Second Bridge ramp at Batu Maung interchange collapse

On 6 June 2013, a ramp leading to the still under construction Penang Second Bridge at Batu Maung interchange collapsed at around 7:00 pm, burying a car and two motorcycles under the debris. One person was killed in the incident. The ramp which is part of the Package 3A of the bridge project was built by the contractor Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd and not UEM Builders Berhad.

Design specifications

Bridge

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is designed based on the double "S" curvy concept due to the geological reasons. The numerous "S"-like curves along the 24 km stretch are a requirement under the Road Safety Audit. It was to help motorists keep their attention on the road while driving.

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is the longest bridge in the world installed with High Damping Natural Rubber (HDNR) Bearing, an effective seismic isolation system that enables the bridge to withstand far field earthquake with a magnatude of 7.5 on the Richter scale. The bridge is the first in Malaysia to be installed with seismic expansion joints, which will allow movements during an earthquake.

Bridge specifications

Land expressway

The land expressway, Batu Kawan Expressway is the first Malaysia to be designed based on an upgraded secondary consolidation creterion of 50mm settlement in the next 20 years.

Sumber :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Abdul_Halim_Muadzam_Shah_Bridge