Green Lane, Penang

Green Lane is a major road in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, and a suburb of the city. The road is where two missionary schools in Penang - Penang Free School and Convent Green Lane - are located.^[1]

Its official Malay name, Jalan Masjid Negeri, is rarely used by locals.

Geography

Green Lane is situated to the south of George Town proper, stretching from Air Itam Road to Jelutong Road.

Around Green Lane are other suburbs, such as Jelutong to the east, Air Itam and Batu Lanchang to the west, and Gelugor to the south.

History

In the early 1920s, Green Lane was home to a small farming community. Its most important landmark was the Penang Free School. In the 1960s the development of housing estates transformed farming areas such as Guan Joo Seng and Island and Peninsular Berhad, into new suburbs. A new landmark, the Holy Spirit Cathedral, was established together with the Guan Joo Seng Estate - now known as Taman Besi. Green Lane had grown from a rural lane to a full road.

With the introduction of an industrial estate at Bayan Lepas, Green Lane became the trunk road connecting George Town with the southern parts of Penang Island (i.e. Gelugor and Bayan Lepas). Green Lane grew to a triple-lane road and is one of the busiest in Penang.

After the opening of the State Mosque at the northern end, Green Lane was renamed Jalan Masjid Negeri (State Mosque Road). It passes through major housing estates, such as Taman Besi, Island Glades and Island Park.

Green Lane now refers to the areas surrounding the street, including the Penang Free School, Convent Green Lane, Chung Hwa Confucian High School, Tropicana Medical Centre, Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Tesco Jelutong and YWCA.

Transport

Visitors can take the 103 Rapid Penang bus which plies Batu Ferringhi and the Bayan Lepas International Airport or the 206 which plies Komtar and Tesco, Jelutong.

References