14 Things We Learned About The Second Penang Bridge Today
The Second Penang Bridge was finally inaugurated on 1 March 2014. Here are some interesting facts and stats we found out.
By Judith Yeoh — 03 Mar 2014, 02:48 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
1. The bridge, Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, is named after the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
The Sultan of Kedah, Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj sir Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah is the 14th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong (supreme head of state) of Malaysia
Image via themalaysiantimes.com.my2. It cost the government RM4.5 billion to build
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the opening of the Second Penang Bridge
Image via stasiareport.com3. The official plan was revealed in August 2006 by Malaysia’s then fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
4. It was initially designed to have two viewing platforms and restaurants but they were dismissed due to lack of funds
Initially, there were plans for two viewing platforms, complete with restaurants, but that was scrapped due to a lack of funds. The platforms would have added another RM600mil to the cost.
Image via uembuilders.com5. The construction took 6 years and it was previously scheduled to open in November 2013
The bridge is able to withstand earthquakes of up to over 7.5 on the Richter scale
Image via thestar.com.my6. The bridge is curved to discourage speeding and curb drowsiness among drivers
JKSB construction director Hamizol Ngah was quoted in English daily The Star in November 2012 saying that the curvy design was deliberately chosen to reduce traffic accidents. “This is to prevent drivers from getting drowsy, discourage speeding and improve road concentration,” said Hamizol. “Such a design requirement was not mooted for the 8.4 km Penang Bridge as it is shorter.”
themalaymailonline.com
7. You'll be able to clear the bridge in 30 minutes at 80km/h (if there isn't a jam, of course)
8. At 24km, it is the longest bridge in Southeast Asia (Penang Bridge is 13.5km long)
9. It is the longest bridge in the world that is equipped with High Damping Natural Rubber Bearing (HRDRB)
The Second Penang Bridge is the longest bridge in the world with High Damping Natural Rubber Bearing (HRDRB)
Image via siteselection.comLaminated high damping rubber bearings provide a simple means of isolating structures from horizontal earthquake ground motions. The key properties of the rubber compounds are dynamic shear modulus and damping.
wiley.com
11. Five electric Mitsubishi i-MIEVs cars will serve as patrol cars for the bridge
Its managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib said they would be the first concessionaire in Malaysia to have electric vehicles for patrols. Dr Ismail Mohamed said the electric vehicles, costing RM140,000 each, would not only use the electricity but also from renewable energy sources such as solar panels located at the toll plaza’s supervision building and the wind turbines at the bridge’s surau.
13. It has already bagged 15 entries in the Malaysia Book of Records
Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Mahboob (left) receives an award for the longest bridge in Malaysia from The Malaysia Book of Records research journalist Zulhairi Md Zin.
Image via New Straits TimesAmong the awards were the longest bridge in the country, the first bridge to be installed rubber absorber and the first highway concessionaire to deploy electric vehicles to patrol the site.
nst.com.my