The Johor state government has identified several mega projects to be implemented in 2019, including the construction of an airport in Mersing and part of a bridge linking Johor Bahru and Singapore.
The new airport will be located in the East Coast Economic Region and can serve tourists from Batam in Indonesia and Phuket in Thailand, said Menteri Besar Osman Sapian.
It will also serve as a light aircraft repair hub.
“The Prime Minister has agreed that ECER will play a role. The airport is not for aircraft like Boeing, but for light planes like the Fokker,” Osman told reporters after opening a convention of local Johor authorities.
“There are two locations, but the cost is still unknown. The consultant will make an evaluation,”
The Chief Minister also said on 12 November that the construction of the bridge would probably start after all quarters agree on how to address the congestion at the existing Johor Causeway and the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link.
During his previous term in office, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had mooted a ‘crooked’ bridge project in 2003 as a possible solution. The Malaysian half would involve a six-lane highway that would curve in a way that allows vessels to pass under it.
This is one of the possibilities being considered. Osman said that so far, there have not been any negative comments about the revival of the ‘crooked’ bridge, following the state government’s explanation on the matter, as reported by The Straits Times.
“This is to solve the congestion at both entry points … and it only gets worse during holidays,” he was quoted saying in the Edge Market report. — Construction+ Online
