KL discusses plan for bridge to S'pore

KL discusses plan for bridge to S'pore

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia gave further details on Thursday of a proposed futuristic bridge to replace the causeway linking it to Singapore.

The bridge and associated developments, which will cost a total of two billion ringgit (US$526 million), will cover 60.93 hectares, said Abdul Ghani Othman, chief minister of Johor state, which borders Singapore.

The project to the east of the causeway -- dubbed the Southern International Gateway -- comprises four essential components, he was quoted as saying in Thursday's New Straits Times.

These were the "bird-wing" bridge to replace the causeway, a high-tech customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex to replace the current customs block, new interchanges and road upgrades, and a new rail line and utility link.

The new CIQ complex, to be built on reclaimed land, is expected to be operational by 2005, while work on the bridge will start once an agreement is signed between the two governments.