Lim also said that if the Federal Government gave it the go-ahead, the state government would consider making the bridge from George Town to Bagan Ajam, toll-free.
“We will find our own money to build the bridge. And we will consider to not impose tolls.
“Will the Federal Government dare to allow us?” he said in a press conference at the Butterworth Buddhist Association Wesak Day celebrations in Sungai Puyu here today.
Lim also slammed certain quarters who have questioned the need to collect toll on the proposed George Town-Butterworth Undersea Tunnel, saying it was a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
“I feel this is “karut dan janggal” (nonsensical and awkward) because the bad guy who became the champions of tolls, is now criticising us for imposing tolls,” he said and added he was sure that if the state government chose not to impose tolls, the other two bridge operators would see the move as an act of “sabotage.”
“Our proposed highways (on the island) would have no tolls. (The toll charge) is because this is an undersea tunnel and it costs three times higher (than a bridge),” he said.
Meanwhile, Lim admitted that Penang had never applied for a third crossing, saying it did not “dare to.”
He said that after the Federal Government reneged on their promise to build a Light Rail Transit system on three separate occasions, the state government had lost all hope that a third bridge would be approved.
“When we wrote letters to ask them (Federal Government) about it, they never responded.
“We also told them we wanted to build on our own, but no response.
“Now we have gone on our own, appointed Gamuda (project delivery partner for the Transport Master Plan), they are now willing to talk to them,” Lim said, adding that Works Minister Fadillah Yusof was not to be blamed, as he had probably been left in the dark.
“There was an agreement that all bridges from the island to mainland must get permission from the Federal Government.
“Last time we had the powers to build on our own, but now we do not.
“I am sure he (Fadillah) will know by now and perhaps he can give us a reply.”
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