Malaysia approves bridge project

Malaysia approves bridge project

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government has approved the
construction of a bridge to replace a 74-year-old causeway
linking its southern Johore state to Singapore, reports said here
yesterday.

The approval for the project was made public after both sides
resolved a diplomatic spat triggered by Singapore Senior Minister
Lee Kuan Yew's portrayal of Johore as crime-ridden. Malaysia has
accepted an apology from Lee.

Malaysian Works Minister Samy Vellu Sanglimuthu said the
cabinet had awarded the project to a consortium and work was
expected to begin next year. He did not name the consortium or
cite the project value.

The project was mooted last July by Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad, who said a bridge would ease congestion on the 1.2
kilometer causeway, used by some 100,000 commuters daily.