GEORGE TOWN: The state government has pressed the federal government to push for speedier construction of the Second Penang Bridge.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said investors here were keen to find out the progress of the work.

"They have shown interest by investing in the state and they want to know when the bridge will be completed," he said.

Lim said the federal government had not kept the state government informed on the progress of the RM4.3 billion project.

"It has been more than a month since we last heard from them," he said.
Speaking to reporters after chairing an executive councillors meeting yesterday, Lim said preliminary works on the bridge had been completed.

This includes the survey and engineering design, soil investigation and site clearing.

Lim welcomed the decision by the federal government to find ways to overcome the shortage of gas supply to industries here.

"It is important that the federal government reacts to the issue quickly.

"We know that a solution may not be immediate but we can at least see light now," he said.

On the call by the Penang Heritage Trust to the state government to review the controversial RM1.2 billion Gurney Paragon project at Gurney Drive, Lim said little could be done as the project had been approved by the Penang Island Municipal Council.