Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said history has shown that Penang must continue to increase its road links to the mainland, despite the opening of a new second link yesterday.
 
Lim said the third link - a 7.2km under-seabed tunnel linking Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam - would take 12 years to complete, whereby the traffic situation would be different then.
 
"By that time, there would be a need for a third link with population growth and if the Penang state government realises its vision of transforming Penang into an international and intelligent city that attracts top human talents.
 
"After all, 12 years after the first Penang Bridge was opened, there was a clear need for a second bridge," said Lim in a press release today.
 
Lim's administration has been taking flak for intiating the construction of a the third link, with critics claiming that it was unnecessary and would cause environmental destruction.
 
According to Lim, the "BN media" has "gone into overdrive" in asking the Penang government to abandon the project for the previously mentioned reasons, which he described as "flimsy".

'BN talks tunnel too'

 
Lim said that the project will be partly financed by the E&O Bhd and includes many public interest elements such as 4-lane highway from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, a 4-lane highway from Air Hitam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and a 4-lane highway from Gurney Drive to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
 
In comparison, Hong Kong has three under-seabed tunnels and many bridges, said Lim. 
 
"(So) why can't Penang have just one tunnel? Further, building tunnels are better for the environment than bridges. If there is no problem with the two bridges in Penang, clearly there is no problem with a tunnel in Penang. 
 
"Further, other BN states talking about building tunnels is not an issue but an issue in Penang," he said.
 
In addition, Lim said that the tunnel was a "development game-changer" that would help develop the Seberang Perai Utara region, which he noted was a Umno stronghold involving three parliamentary seats and nine state seats.
 
"By building the tunnel to develop SPU, the Penang state government is demonstrating that every Penangite is treated fairly including Umno strongholds. 
 
"Why is the BN media opposed to the Penang PR state government wanting to bring development and treat Umno supporters fairly in Umno areas?" he asked.