Infrastructure
To promote the growth of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism in the Northern Corridor, the Government will provide an environment conducive to economic development, by combining both physical infrastructure, such as irrigation, utilities and transportation, as well as soft infrastructure such as human capital, funding, incentives and an improved public service delivery system. The focus shall be on improving national and regional connectivity; strengthening the utilities infrastructure to support economic growth; providing targeted, competitive incentives that would encourage businesses to invest in the promoted areas; and establishing a dedicated organisation to drive and coordinate the implementation.
Road and Bridges
Road connectivity in the NCER will be enhanced via a number of projects.
Existing:
- North-South Expressway from Ipoh to Bukit Kayu Hitam
- Pulau Pinang Bridge
Planned or proposed projects:
- Pulau Pinang Bridge expansion
- Coastal Highway – widening existing roads and building new ones
- Central Spine – Straightening, widening and building new roads
- Butterworth-Kulim-Grik-Jeli-Kota Bahru road widening
- Upgrading of roads from Alor Setar to Kuala Nerang and from Kuala Nerang to Pedu Lake
- Upgrading of roads from Taiping to Grik
- Yan-Gurun highway
Railways
Long distance travel and commuter services via the railway systems will be enhanced through several projects
Existing:
- Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) from Ipoh to Padang Besar
Planned or proposed projects:
- Double-tracking project from Ipoh to Padang Besar
- Two Integrated terminals in Pulau Pinang
- Integrated terminal in Kulim
- Seberang Prai Monorail from Prai-Kulim-Sungai Petani
- Commuter train from Ipoh to Sungai Petani
- Kota Bharu-Jeli-Butterworth rail link
- Inland commercial depot in Padang Besar
Air and Sea Ports
Strong connectivity by sea and air will be important for promoting international trade of goods produced in the NCER. A number of improvements to existing infrastructure have been planned.
Existing airpots:
- Penang International Airport
- Langkawi International Airport
- Alor Setar Airport
Planned or proposed projects
- Expansion of Penang International Airport
- Expansion of regional and international air links to bring more visitors to the NCER
Existing sea ports:
- Butterworth Container Port
- Kuala Kedah
- Kuala Perlis
- Langkawi
Planned or proposed projects
- Expansion of Butterworth Container Port
- Expansion of coastal vessel fleets, ferry services or tie-ups with regional ports in Sumatera, Phuket and Myanmar.
