GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s traditional shopping enclave of Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh Buckingham will be widened and upgraded with a bicycle lane by end of the year.
The RM240,000 upgrade, by the Penang Island City Council, will begin end of the month and is expected to be completed by year’s end.
Upon completion, there will be an additional 27 parking bays from the existing 53. Additional motorcycle lanes will be built across popular spots.
Three loading bays -- some 200m apart -- will be built in view of the wholesalers based there. Three lots for the disabled will be added in as well.
Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said the road would be partially closed from 10pm to 5am daily to facilitate works.
“We are also removing amenities such as benches and other ornaments to achieve a bottleneck free road.
“Presently, there is a lot of congestion when heavy vehicles pull over to unload items. But we foresee that this will be a thing of the past,” he said when met at the street yesterday.
Previously, the Campbell-Buckingham Streets were upgraded into a ‘pedestrian mall’ in 1999 at a cost of RM2.3 million.
However, the popularity of the street waned after many shopping complexes sprouted up on the island.
Traders met by the New Straits Times were wary about the project, with some saying it would be beneficial as the street was too narrow, and with some saying it would cause further traffic in the three-month construction period.
Medical hall owner Lee Xi Wen, 30, said the pedestrian walkway had impeded traffic.
“Many motorcyclists parked their bikes on the pavement...it is an inconvenience to many.
Cutting a half of it to allow proper parking is a good move,” he said.
For accessories trader Ong Jhoon Kheong, however, he felt the authorities should have chatted with the stakeholders before going ahead with the project.
“I am unaware such project is going to take place. And I can foresee that this is going to be a big mess and it is going to affect our business.
“What about the issue of haphazard wiring along the street? Why don’t you fix that first?” asked the 46-year-old wholesaler.
Another trader, who declined to be named, said the authorities must put pedestrians first, as it was a tourist area.
“Widening the roads is all well and good but what about the pedestrians? Can you tell some businesses to vacate their five-footways?” she questioned.