Penang Bridge
One of Asia’s iconic landmark, the Penang Bridge is an achievement for the Penang. It took 5 years to complete and a pride of all Penangites. Designed by a renowned Malaysian architect, Chin Fung Kee, this bridge has a dual-carriageway which connects Gelugor in Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the Penang mainland. This bridge has distinctive design features and has won many awards.
- 1986 – Grand Award in the United States of America Engineering Excellence Competition sponsored by the Council of Consulting Engineers, Washington.
- 1993 – FIABCI Special Award (Development and Construction Phase Category) from the International Real Estate Federation of Malaysia.
The bridge has a total length of 13.5 km, 4-towers and is 33 meters above the water. The total piling of the bridge leads up to 648 km, which is roughly the distance from Singapore to Penang. It was built at a cost of $850 million. Before the construction of this bridge, the only way to reach Penang island was via ferry.
The bridge is one of the busiest freeways in Malaysia. However, the Penang Bridge only closes annually for the Penang Bridge International Marathon.
Image by Marufish.
Operating Hours
Daily: 24 hours a day.
Admission
Motorcycle is exempted from paying the toll charges.
Private cars or van will be charged RM 7.00 upon entry from the main land to the island. The return journey to the mainland is not charged.
Hear From Others
Penang Bridge may not be an official sightseeing spot in Penang but it is the sight that greets most visitors to the island. A 13.5km-long suspension bridge that connects the island to the mainland at Seberang Perai, it is considered a Penang landmark, with locals comparing it to London Bridge.
One of the most breathtaking landmarks in the whole country of Malaysia can be found in the town of Penang, and that is no other than the Penang Bridge.
We first saw the Penang bridge from the ferry from Butterworth to Georgetown, why wouldn’t you want to cross the famous Penang Bridge at least once in your life! Luckily there are plenty of ways to see the bridge up close.
Tanya
MagicTravelBlog
Nearby Attractions
Penang Bird Park
With a total of 3,000 birds, the Penang Bird Park is the first and the largest bird park in the Malaysia.
Jerejak Island
Jerejak Island is a small island located at the eastern coast of Penang Island. It can be reached via a ferry ride from Bayan Lepas. It is known to have a dark history in the past. Now Jerejak Island is one of the famous islands in Penang to be visited for its rich nature and beautiful view.
Clan Jetties
Being part of the Penang Heritage Trail, the Clan Jetties is known as one of the ancient Chinese settlements on the Island.