The government is expected to finalise by the first quarter of next year the toll concession period for the second Penang bridge, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop said today.

"There are many methods of setting the concession period and deciding on the amount of toll.

"We will consider all these and decide what is best for the people, especially those in Penang," he said.

He was asked to comment on Anil Netto's remark in his blog that the concession period for the bridge would be 45 years as per the 2008 annual report of the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Gov't to conduct research

Nor Mohamed, who heads the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), said the government would conduct research to determine the amount each motorist would have to pay for using the bridge.

"We must approve an amount which everyone is able to pay so that it gives everyone an equal opportunity to travel on the bridge," he told reporters.

He said some toll concession periods allowed the concessionaire to raise the quantum of toll annually while some retained one amount for several years.

Last year, the government set up Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB), a special purpose vehicle, to supervise and fast-track the second Penang bridge project.

The 26-km bridge, which will link Batu Maung on the island to Batu Kawan on the mainland, is a project undertaken jointly by UEM Builders and China Harbour Engineering. - Bernama