Better facilities at airport

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A MULTI-STOREY car park and a hotel block will soon be built within the Penang International Airport ground, said state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng.

“The car park, which will have 1,218 lots, and the hotel will be tendered to interested concessionaires via open tender.

“Both structures will not exceed 30m as per the Civil Aviation Department’s (DCA) Obstruction Clearance Limitation,” he told reporters after inspecting the work progress at the airport in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

Lim said airport users could now enjoy smoother pick-up and drop-off of passengers with the opening of the arrival and departure curb side and ramps on Friday, adding that lanes had been built according to vehicle types.

“The opening of the new drop-off and pick-up points has visibly eased traffic flow but the absence of signs has caused motorists to park haphazardly outside the terminal building.

New look: The almost completed curb side and driveway at the Penang International Airport

“Signs and road-line works will be carried out at night when there are fewer cars to ensure the public abide by the system and not take advantage of the situation by simply parking anywhere they like,” he said.

The arrival and departure ramps had been closed to visitors since April this year due to the upgrading and repair works.

Throughout that period, passengers and visitors had to endure numerous inconveniences even though nearly RM1.6 million had been spent on temporary diversion measures following complaints.

Airport senior manager Mohd Ariff Jaafar, who was also present, expressed confidence that they would be able to meet the completion date of June 2012.

Earlier, Lim and Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim also visited the completed RM6.1mil road rehabilitation project along the coastal road on the Lim Chong Eu Expressway and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Penang.

They thanked motorists for their understanding and patience during the four-month road closure and diversion.

Abdul Malik said road users, including him, would get to enjoy a smoother and a safer driving experience along these roads.