The Penang Bridge

The Penang Bridge

Date of Issue: 1985-09-15
Denominations: 20c, 40c, $1.00
Stamp Sizes: 20 cents & 40 cents (28 mm x 38 mm), $1.00 (27.94 mm x 44.45 mm)
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Sheet Composition: 100 stamps
Designer: Kathy Design, Kuala Lumpur

Stamps in the Series:


First Day Cover:


The Penang Bridge Project was the original idea of the second Malaysian Prime Minister, the late Y.A.B. Tun Hj. Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Hussain and the planning commenced in 1960. The success for the project was ensured by detailed plans and careful research. The decision to commence construction was made by Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister.

The project comprises the construction of a high level bridge of a Cable-Stayed Concrete Girder type costing about 850 million ringgit which links Penang Island with the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia. The overall length of the bridge is approximately 13.5 km and comprises 8.4 km of bridge structure over water, 1.5 km of viaduct and roadway approach on the Penang Island side and 3.6 km of approach roadway on the Perai side. This bridge is designed to house six lanes but initially will have only four lanes except at the main span and the sloping section which will accommodate six lanes. The bridge is built over the South Channel.

On the Penang Island side, a grade separated directional interchange with the proposed North and South Coastal Roads has been constructed offshore at Batu Uban. This interchange is connected to the existing Glugor Road with a trumpet interchange located in front of the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

On the Perai side the project commences at the 4.5 milestone Butterworth – Ipoh Road of the Federal Route 1 with a partial clover leaf interchange. A bridge will also be built across the railway line. The project will then pass through the Prai Industrial Complex with a directional interchange at Jalan Perusahaan. A Toll Plaza has been built on this side and toll will be collected for all traffic destined for Penang.

This bridge, which links Penang Island with the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia is one of the longest in the world. It also contributes to the economic, cultural and social development of the country culminating in national solidarity.