Penang LRT to cost over RM10.5b, says Chow
Penangites will have to bear with the traffic jams during LRT construction, says chief minister.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s first light rail transit (LRT) line is expected to cost more than RM10.5 billion, says Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.
This estimate covers the rail line from Komtar to Silicon Island, which is being reclaimed in the south near the airport, and another line from Komtar to Butterworth which will cross the Penang Channel.
In 2018, it was reported that the rail line from Komtar to Bayan Lepas, which is 30km long, would cost about RM9.5 billion.
“It is in the range of more than RM10.5 billion now,” Chow told reporters at Komtar.
“The final figure depends on the request for proposal carried out and the finalisation of agreements.”
Touching on traffic concerns during the construction of the LRT line, he said it was a price that Penangites would have to pay for better public transport.
Chow said while the LRT line will not resolve 100% of traffic problems in the state, it was a good start.
The LRT line is expected to ease traffic congestion which has been worsening despite several road projects on the island.
“Being stuck in daily traffic is a cost that needs to be borne by the rakyat if we don’t have an efficient public transport and road network,” he said.
“This project is needed so that people don’t need to waste millions of hours stuck in traffic.”
Chow also hoped the NGOs protesting against the LRT project would see the “bigger picture”, stating that over 90% of Penangites have expressed their support for the project, as seen through the various engagement sessions held over the years.
The LRT line is expected to be completed by 2030, with work expected to start as early as September by SRS Consortium, a Gamuda Bhd company that will undertake the first segment of the rail line from Silicon Island to Komtar.
The whole project, led by MRT Corp, is divided into three segments, with the remaining two contracts open for tender.
The other two contracts – comprising a line from Komtar to Penang Sentral (Butterworth) as well as the turn-key systems and rolling stocks – will be offered on an open tender basis.
The Penang LRT Mutiara Line, spanning 29km, has been reported to have 20 stations, including two interchange stations at Komtar and Penang Sentral.
Penang is a manufacturing export powerhouse.
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