Festive Air Itam - Traffic arrangement

As reported in The Star.

Festive Air Itam
By TAN SIN CHOW
sctan@thestar.com.my

AIR Itam in Penang will be a hive of activity beginning today as thousands of locals and foreigners will be visiting the place famous for its tourist spots and wet market in conjunction with Chinese New Year.

Large crowds of people are expected to throng the Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill, the newly refurbished Penang Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese War Memorial and the popular Air Itam market.

Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said measures had been taken to help ease traffic woes in the area during the festive season.

He said Rela members were being stationed at strategic road intersections to help direct traffic leading to tourist spots.

“We anticipate hundreds of thousands of people to come here during the Chinese New Year season, especially until the fifth day of the Lunar New Year,” he said before giving out aprons, mandarin oranges and red packets to hawkers, petty traders and the public at the Air Itam market yesterday.

Wong said parking bays at the surrounding areas of Kek Lok Si Temple would be increased from 500 to 700 bays.


All systems go: A Rela member monitoring the traffic at the open space car park of the Thnee Kong Tnua Temple in Air Itam, Penang

Three vacant spaces will also be opened up to accommodate 12 coaches bringing in tourists.

“Those visiting Penang Hill can park their vehicles at the Thnee Kong Tnua Temple located near the foot of the hill,” said Wong.

“Traffic flow has improved following the completion of the road-widening project at the Jalan Air Itam-Jalan Mesjid Negeri junction.

“Besides that, the road-widening project at Lebuhraya Thean Teik-Lorong Batu Lanchang junction is also 80% completed,” he said.

“Hopefully, the widening of these two roads which lead to Air Itam can alleviate the traffic congestion there,” he said.

Wong added that the Air Itam market was expected to be packed today as many people would be doing their last minute shopping for essentials such as fruits, vegetables, fresh produce and steamboat items.

He said market-goers prefer the Air Itam market for its fresh produce, Chinese New Year cookies and decorative items, dried meat, clothes and prayer paraphernalia.