Penang Bridge Opens — September 13, 1985
The Penang Bridge opened on September 13, 1985, linking the island to the mainland at 13.5km — then the longest bridge in Asia. It transformed Penang's economy and made the island accessible without a ferry.
On September 13, 1985, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad officially opened the Penang Bridge (Jambatan Pulau Pinang), linking Gelugor on Penang island to Prai on the mainland across the Strait of Malacca. At 13.5 kilometres, it was the longest bridge in Asia and the third-longest in the world at the time of opening. Construction took 4 years and 4 months, employed 2,800 workers at peak, and used over 175,000 tonnes of steel and concrete. The bridge transformed Penang's economy: journey times from the island to the mainland dropped from 45-90 minutes (ferry) to under 20 minutes. The bridge's distinctive cable-stayed main span has become an icon of Penang's skyline and is lit in different colours for major festivals. The annual Penang Bridge Marathon, first held in 1986, is one of Malaysia's most popular road races.
Insider Tips
- 1Bridge toll is RM 7 per car (Penang-bound only; mainland-bound is free)
- 2Best viewing points: Queensbay Mall waterfront or Batu Maung near the southern bridgehead
- 3The annual Penang Bridge Marathon (November/December) closes the bridge to traffic — a rare chance to walk across
- 4Sunset from the Penang side looking back at the bridge and mainland creates exceptional photography conditions
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When
September 13, 1985
🏛 Historical event — 1985
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Where
Penang Bridge (Gelugor, Penang Island to Prai, Seberang Perai)
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A must-see highlight of Penang's cultural calendar