The construction of Penang’s first light rail transit (LRT) project will begin by the fourth quarter of this year, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister added that the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project has been officially taken over by the Federal Government and is estimated to take six years, with completion slated for by 2030.

“We hope that within six months, the negotiations with SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd can be concluded.

“Following that, we expect physical works can start at least by the fourth quarter this year,” he told reporters at the ministry’s office on Friday (March 29).

The contracts for the LRT project have been divided into three main components – Silicon Island to Komtar contract (Segment 1), Komtar to Penang Sentral contract (Segment 2) and turn-key systems and rolling stocks contract.

Loke said SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd has been offered the Segment 1 contract based on the Single Sourcing Request for Proposal mechanism.

Meanwhile, the other two remaining contracts will be offered on an open tender basis.

“The offer (to SRS Consortium) was made based on the request by Penang state government which had appointed SRS as the Project Delivery Partner of the Penang Transportation Master Plan, which comprises the Penang LRT Mutiara Line, through an open tender in August 2015.

“SRS has also studied the technical early designs while acquiring approvals for the Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment and conditional Skim Kereta Api,” he said, adding that the costs were also borne out by SRS.

Loke added that the Cabinet has agreed to appoint MRT Corp as the developer and asset owner of the new train line.

He said that the rolling stock operations depot and transit-oriented development projects will be conducted by MRT Corp together with the state government.

“The new strategy aims to generate extra non-fare revenue to be reinvested for train maintenance in the future,” he added.

Stretching about 29km, Penang LRT Mutiara Line, will be equipped with 20 stations which include two interchange stations in Komtar and Penang Sentral.

Source: TheStar.com.my