'Does the PIL1 highway violate PWD guidelines for slopes?'
An outspoken heritage activist has questioned whether parts of the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) highway are in violation of the Public Works Department (PWD) guidelines for slope design.
Khoo Salma Nasution said for maintenance and safety reasons, the PWD Design Rules state that the design for cut slopes should not exceed six berms...
An outspoken heritage activist has questioned whether parts of the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) highway are in violation of the Public Works Department (PWD) guidelines for slope design.
Khoo Salma Nasution (photo, above) said for maintenance and safety reasons, the PWD design rules state that the design for cut slopes should not exceed six berms.
'Berm' is defined as "a narrow shelf, path or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope."
"The PIL1 Environmental Impact Assessment report (Volume 2) shows many instances (of up to 29 berms) where the guidelines are clearly violated," said Salma, a former president of the Penang Heritage Trust.
"Can the Department of Environment (DoE) tell us whether JKR approved the design or alignment of PIL1 as it was, or did the project proponents amend the PIL1 alignment or design to conform to JKR guidelines?" Salma, who was also once a Penang Island City councillor, asked.
She was referring to the PIL1 highway, where its EIA report was approved by the Department of Environment on April 10.
The EIA for the 19km highway, which is a component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was approved with 56 conditions.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who made the announcement yesterday, described the conditional approval as a "major milestone" in addressing the state's ongoing traffic woes.
However, activist movements such as the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association, Penang Forum, Consumers Association Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are upset with the highway due to possible damage it would cause the environment.
Chow has declined to state the actual cost of the highway for now, saying it would only be known when a tender is called.
He has also pointed out that the cost of the PIL1 cannot be compared with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as it entails land acquisition, twin tunnels three times the size of ECRL's and six-lane highways.
Salma finds it "amazing" that the state government wants a PTMP that costs more than the ECRL, which will run from Port Klang to Kota Baru, passing through Pahang, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan.
"They obviously want the PTMP to go ahead to spur investment and flog a flattish property market, but they ignore the science that more highways bring out more cars, " she said.
Salma pointed out that Penang is reaching "car peak," so this is a good opportunity to shift to a robust public transport plan.
"Look at what is happening in cities around the world.
"Only governments that are stuck in old thinking and outdated development strategies would be unable or unwilling to embrace a new mobility paradigm to support a vibrant connected city," she said.
Salma added: "If the Pan Island Link is built, it will be at great cost to the environment and people - the hills, rivers, parks and existing neighbourhoods.
"We ask the federal government, including the DoE, to release the 56 conditions in the spirit of transparency of Malaysia Baru."
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