Several major roads in George Town’s heritage core will be closed from 29 to 31 August for the rehearsal and state-level 69th National Day Parade at Jalan Padang Kota.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP), in a statement, said road closures would begin at 2 am on 29 August and continue until 1 pm on 31 August, or until the event concludes.
The affected locations include the Chulia Street Ghaut/Weld Quay junction, part of China Street Ghaut, Church Street, the Union Street/Beach Street junction and part of Penang Street from Light Street to Union Street.
Also affected are part of King Street from Bishop Street to Light Street, the Light Street/Kapitan Keling Mosque Road junction and the Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah Road/Light Street junction. Eight locations fall under the 2 am closure window.
Two additional junctions will have staggered closure times. The Masjid Kapitan Keling Road/Bishop Street and Farquhar Street/Leith Street junctions will close from 6 am until 1 pm, Pocket News reported.
The closures cover the area surrounding Padang Kota, the open field along the waterfront where the state-level parade and celebrations are held annually. Streets in the immediate vicinity, including those bordering the Esplanade and the heritage square, will be off-limits to vehicles during the closure period.
MBPP advised motorists to plan their journeys well in advance and to use alternative routes to avoid congestion. Drivers heading into the city centre from the Weld Quay side should consider diverting via Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong or Jalan Penang, while those approaching from the Light Street direction may use Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.
The council also reminded road users to follow instructions from traffic personnel stationed at the affected locations. Vehicles parked along the affected roads within the closure zone may need to be moved before 2 am on 29 August to avoid being towed.
The 69th National Day celebrations in Penang will feature a parade of contingents from government agencies, the uniformed services, schools and community organisations, along with cultural performances and a flypast. The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the Esplanade and surrounding streets.
