1 April 2014: Latest news update...The rate for Class 1 vehicles at the second Penang bridge(Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge) link is RM8.50 which is 21.4% higher, and this would not help to reduce traffic congestion on Penang Bridge. There is no 20% discount for Touch N' Go card users unlike the Penang Bridge.
Touch N' Go card which allowed Penangnites to enjoy a RM5.60 special rate if they bought the card at the Penang Bridge office over in mainland. Only Penangnites will be entitled to the 20% rebate using Touch N' Go card and motorists must produce their MyKad at the bridge's counter next to the toll plaza as proof of their address. Other car drivers have to pay RM7.
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The iconic 2nd Penang bridge link has been official opened on 1-March-2014 and operator that managed the bridge is Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd(#JKSB). The official name for the second Penang bridge is Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge and been identified as E28[dual carriageway toll bridge in Penang, Malaysia].
The 24km(15miles) long link, which spans 16.9km(10.5miles) over the water, is said to be the longest bridge in South East Asia. The construction took six years to complete with the construction cost of RM4.5billion. By comparison, the first Penang bridge is 13.5km(8.4miles) long and was opened to public use in 1985. Distance from Batu Kawan interchange to the first Penang bridge toll plaza at Prai is 12km(7.5miles) whilst distance from Batu Maung interchange to the first Penang Bridge interchange in Gelugor is 8.5km(5.3miles).
It's a paid bridge [similar with 1st Penang bridge] and the chargeable quantum rate is not prevail yet as of this writing. At the moment, the 2nd Penang bridge is free for public use till 31-March-2014. As for the toll rate to Bandar Cassia where the second Penang bridge located, Class 1 vehicles, from Juru toll to Bandar Cassia is RM1.40, RM0.50 (from Bukit Tambun), RM1.40 (from Jawi), RM15.40 (from Ipoh Utara) and RM41.90 (from Jalan Duta).
It serves as a development influx and catalyst for economic growth for south Seberang Prai(#SPS). Future establishment will be IKEA, Hull University. Moving forward, Penang third link serves as a development influx and catalyst for economic growth for north Seberang Prai(#SPU). Refer to One Penang, Two halves, Three links...what is it for me as investor/developer?
Word of caution: Although the second Penang bridge is exempted from payment as of now, you still need to scan your Touch-N-Go card at Bandar Cassia toll booth [or get cash card] before exit otherwise you'll encounter scanning issue when you reach Juru toll or other NSE toll booths.
The second Penang bridge scenaries as I'm driving along it:
Ramp up to second Penang bridge from Gelugor.
Mid span view of second Penang bridge.
Mid span view from a distance.
Bandar Cassia toll booth (direction from Penang Island).
