Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road

Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road
Route information
Maintained by Penang Island City Council
Length	5.5 km (3.4 mi)
Major junctions
North end	Paya Terubong
Major intersections	FT 220 Jalan Paya Terubong P14 Jalan Tun Sardon Lebuh Bukit Jambul
South end	Bukit Jambul, Paya Terubong
Location
Country	Malaysia
Primary destinations	Paya Terubong Balik Pulau
Highway system
Highways in Malaysia Expressways Federal State

The Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road is a dual carriageway in the city of George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. The municipally-funded 5.5 km (3.4 mi) road stretches across the valleys at the centre of Penang Island, connecting Paya Terubong and Balik Pulau.[1][2][3] Scheduled for completion by 2028, a 3.3 km (2.1 mi) stretch was opened for use in 2022.[4][5] It is touted as the tallest elevated expressway in Malaysia, reaching the highest point of 59.4 m (195 ft) from the pile caps, or 61.5 m (202 ft) above ground.

History

View of the top of the elevated Bukit Kukus paired road in April 2022

The Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road was proposed as an alternative to the narrower Jalan Paya Terubong that runs through the hills at the centre of Penang Island.[4] Its construction started in 2016, with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) building a 3.3 km (2.1 mi) stretch. The remaining length was allocated to two private contractors, Geo Valley Sdn Bhd and PLB Land Sdn Bhd.[2] As there was a lack of financial support from the federal government, the RM545.6 million expressway was built entirely with state funds. Out of this amount, the portion constructed by the MBPP costed RM378.2 million.[2][6] The then Mayor Yew Tung Seang later remarked that up to that point, it was the biggest construction project ever undertaken by the local government.[4]

In 2018, construction was halted temporarily due to a landslide that killed nine workers.[6] Geo Valley Sdn Bhd was subsequently taken to court, which slowed down the progress of the construction. The project also met further delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the 3.3 km (2.1 mi) section built by the MBPP had to be opened first in 2022, with the remaining portions to be completed by 2028.[4][5] At the time of its opening, the road boasts the tallest viaducts in Malaysia, reaching as high as 61.5 m (202 ft) above ground at some sections and surpassing the Rawang Bypass in Selangor. It was expected that the carriageway would reduce congestion in the immediate vicinity by 30%.[7]

Junctions

Km	Exit	Junctions	To	Remarks
		Paya Terubong	North FT 220 Jalan Paya Terubong Paya Terubong
		Jalan Tun Sardon	West P14 Jalan Tun Sardon Balik Pulau	T-junction
		Bukit Jambul	South Lebuh Bukit Jambul Bukit Jambul

See also

• Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass

References

1. Opalyn Mok (7 Aug 2019). "Penang to partially open Bukit Kukus paired road in August 2020". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 Nov 2023.
2. Opalyn Mok (13 Jan 2022). "Penang will persevere with its transport master plan projects, says chief minister". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 Nov 2023.
3. "jalan-bukit-kukus-pair-road-the-skyline". Penang Property Talk. 15 Mar 2018. Retrieved 27 Nov 2023.
4. Lo, Tern Chern (14 Jan 2022). "In awe of tallest elevated road". The Star. Retrieved 27 Nov 2023.
5. Lo, Tern Chern (27 Nov 2024). "Penang's Bukit Kukus paired road project delayed three more years". The Star. Retrieved 27 Nov 2024.
6. Rachel Yeoh (13 Jan 2022). "First phase of Penang's Bukit Kukus highway unveiled after 6 years". The Vibes. Retrieved 27 Nov 2023.
7. "Penang's Bukit Kukus paired road to open Jan 13 - Paya Terubong-Relau, country's highest elevated road - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2023-11-27.