The Penang Bridge project was the original idea of the second Malaysian Prime Minister, the late YAB Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Hussain and the planning commenced in 1960.
The design of the Penang Bridge was done by the most outstanding local pioneer civil engineer, the late Tan Sri Datuk Professor Ir Chin Fung Kee during his employment with Jurutera Konsultant (SEA) Sdn Bhd when the late Tun Hussein Onn was the third Malaysian Prime Minister.
The construction was carried out during YAB Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister in 1982 and taking took almost 3¾ years to complete.
3 August 1985 – YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had officially visited the Penang Bridge and drove across the bridge in a red Proton Saga (a national car), carrying the national flag.
14 September 1985* - Penang Bridge was officially opened to the traffic by the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Musa Hitam (Tun Musa Hitam was an Acting Prime Minister at that time).
