Jelutong Expressway

Night view of the Jelutong Expressway, now known as the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (3 January 2004)


The Jelutong Expressway (Federal Route 3113) is a coastal expressway that connects the Penang Bridge to George Town, Penang. It should not be confused with Lebuhraya Jelutong, which is also known as Jelutong Avenue. It is today part of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which runs for 17.84 km from the Prangin Road Ghaut junction to Batu Maung intersection.

The funding for the construction of this expressway is contributed jointly by the Malaysian Department of Works and the Penang state government. Hectares of land was reclaimed for the construction of this expressway. Phase I of the Jelutong Expressway was completed in 2003 while Phase II was completed and opened in July, 2006.

With the completion of Phase II, the entire east coast of Penang Island is linked, enabling motorists to drive all the way from Batu Maung to Weld Quay. This substantially reduces travelling time. However, with the increased in traffic volume, certain stretches particularly the Sungai Nibong Expressway leading towards the Penang Bridge as well as stretches of the Bayan Lepas Expressway have become congested, especially during rush hours. With the future construction of the Second Penang Bridge the present expressway will not be able to sustain the expected increase in traffic volume without further widening.

By the way, you would notice that Jelutong Expressway is known as "Lebuhraya Pantai Jelutong" (literally Jelutong Coastal Expressway), and not "Lebuhraya Jelutong". The reason is, the word "lebuhraya" can mean "expressway", "highway" as well as "avenue". In this case, there is already a Jelutong Avenue which is known as Lebuhraya Jelutong - that's the road beside the Jelutong Post Office that leads to Teong Leng Keong Temple.

Visiting Penang

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