Satay seller becomes millionth user of second bridge

BATU KAWAN: When satay seller Mohamad Helmi Ismail was stopped after coming out of the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah bridge's toll plaza, he thought he was stopped for an offence.

But his maiden drive on 24km-second bridge was a timely one, as he was certified as the millionth user.

The 34-year-old from Kulim, Kedah, was shocked when he was flagged down by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd's (JKSB) managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib at 6pm today.

Mohamad Helmi, from Kulim, Kedah, was travelling to George Town with his wife, Syuhaida Saudi, 29 and toddler son, Mohd Danish Iqbal, two.

The couple alighted from their white-coloured Nissan Grand Livina, with their expressions changing from shock to smiles, as they were informed they were the millionth vehicle to pass through.

"I was worried and surprised.

"Who knew I would be the lucky millionth!

"I am thankful to JKSB for making my trip on the bridge a memorable one,” said the Junjung Pasar Malam trader when met by the press at the Second Bridge Integerated Toll Plaza here.

Mohamad Helmi was handed a certificate and a hamper worth RM500 by Ismail, witnessed by hundred others whizzing past.

Ismail said they were glad to serve their millionth in a short span of two months after its grand opening on Mar 2.

"Although the number of traffic using the bridge is lesser compared to during the toll-free period, we managed to achieve the millionth benchmark in a short time,” he said.

On another note, Ismail said the new bridge had already captured 12,000 vehicles from the first bridge's daily traffic.

"We are planning to get an extra 8,000 vehicles daily (from the first bridge) to meet our 20,000 target," he said adding that it expects up to 400,000 users per month in the long run.

The bridge started collecting toll of RM8.50 for private vehicles since Apr 1, and it serves to reduce the traffic on the first bridge by half.

Billed as the largest job in terms of civil works in Malaysia in the past two decades, the longest bridge in Southeast Asia links Batu Kawan on the mainland with Batu Maung on the island.

Read more: Satay seller becomes millionth user of second bridge - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/satay-seller-becomes-millionth-user-of-second-bridge-1.563785#ixzz2ygPTBsX3