The project was completed with a major loan from China, in an effort to maintain the economic relationship between the two nations.

[3] The Penang Second Bridge was officially opened on 1 March 2014 and was named after the fourteenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah.

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is a High Impact Project launched under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Being a High Impact Project, it was seen as a key catalyst in the socio-economic development of Malaysia's Northern Corridor Economic Region.

The project was delivered by a special purpose concession company formed by the Government of Malaysia, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

The bridge measuring a total of 24 km (15 mi) in length was constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia, as well as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company.

On 12 November 2006, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Penang Second Bridge was performed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

[5] In April 2008, the government announced that the project was to be delayed by 9 months due to land acquisition, design issues, and also the rising costs of building materials.

[8] In July 2008, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi reported that the loan for the bridge risked being withdrawn if the shareholder agreement between UEM Builders Berhad and its joint-venture partner CHEC was not inked by August 2008.

It was reported that there were disagreements between the two parties on the apportionment of the cost of building the bridge although the issue was expected to be resolved quickly due to UEM having a variation on the price on its portion.

[14] The bridge was official named Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge after the fourteenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah.

The ramp which is part of the Package 3A of the bridge project was built by the contractor Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd and not UEM Builders Berhad.

The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is designed based on the double "S" curvy concept due to the geological reasons.

[citation needed]The numerous "S"-like curves along the 24 km stretch are a requirement under the Road Safety Audit.

[18] The bridge and the link road to the North–South Expressway are maintained by a private concession company, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

The commemorative postage stamps to mark the opening of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge on 1 March 2014 was issued by Pos Malaysia on 31 December 2014.