He said the public works department (JKR) would usually look at the feasibility of the project as a whole before granting any approvals.

The Penang government has not decided on having a third link between the island and the mainland although the developers for the undersea tunnel project have said that a bridge would be a better idea, as it was “cost-effective” and environmentally-friendly compared with a tunnel.

In a press conference today, Fadillah said such projects must go through a cost-benefit analysis. The state must also justify the need for such a link in the first place.

He said JKR, in granting approval, would look at the social and economic aspects of the project first and then on the environmental impact of constructing a bridge.

“We have yet to receive any application from the state government. Rest assured, JKR will approve any proposal based on the feasibility and on the technical data for the site.

“This is to ensure there is no adverse effect on the environment,” he told reporters at JKR’s Seberang Perai South office in Jawi today.

Separately, Fadillah said all JKR district officers have been put on alert to keep a close eye on hill slopes and roads given the monsoon change this month.

He said with the heavy rains and thunderstorms expected, all teams are told to study slopes and roads to prevent the possibility of disasters and give early warning to the public.

Fadillah said that if needed, roads may be closed and diverted at hotspots.

“Our weather patterns are different now so we have ordered all personnel to be on alert,” he said.

Earlier, Fadillah witnessed the handover of several road upgrade projects in Seberang Perai South to JKR, namely the Permatang Keling-Sg Junjung intersection, the Sungai Kerian bridge, and the flyover from Federal Route 1 to Jalan Transkrian.

The upgrades, involving 20km of roads, were carried out by Seleksi Sensasi Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM109.3 million.