Chronology Date Event Early 1970s The idea to build a bridge linking Seberang Perai to Penang Island was suggested by the late Tun Abdul Razak, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia and the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, the second Chief Minister of Penang. Late 1970s Penang Bridge was planned during the term of third Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn. 23 July 1981 Works Minister, S. Samy Vellu announced that Penang Bridge, Penang would be constructed using the cable-stayed concrete girder of the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge instead of the steel-tied arch in the style of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 1982 Construction of Penang Bridge officially began 3 August 1985 Official opening of Penang Bridge by fourth Prime Minister, Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 14 September 1985 Penang Bridge is officially opened to traffic. Penang Bridge Widening Project

When the bridge was initially constructed, the central span had six lanes, while the rest of the bridge had four lanes. The project to widen the entire bridge to six lanes began in January 2008 and was completed in late 2009.