PENANG LRT CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN JANUARY 2026, CONTINUE THROUGH FESTIVE SEASONS - EXCO

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Construction work on the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, scheduled to begin in January 2026, will proceed as planned, including during the Chinese New Year celebration in February and Aidilfitri in March.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the work could not be delayed due to the very tight construction timeline required to complete the project by December 2031.

“In addition, any delay in meeting the project’s completion target will trigger a penalty clause as stipulated in the contract.

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“However, the implementation of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) during the festive seasons will be arranged in a way that does not disrupt traffic flow or compromise the safety of road users, especially with the expected increase in vehicles,” he said at the Penang state assembly sitting here today.

He said this in response to a question from Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih) regarding the expected cost of the Penang LRT project, its construction start date, and whether the work would be postponed until after Aidilfitri.

Zairil said that the contractor for the Civil Main Contractor Package 1 (CMC1), SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS), has identified three hotspot locations expected to be most affected by the LRT construction works - Jalan Magazine, the junction in front of Sunny Point in Batu Uban, and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ).

He added that Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRTC) has been instructed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to prepare a TMP for each station site from George Town to Permatang Damar Laut, enabling more detailed analysis and implementation of mitigation measures.

The detailed TMP prepared by MRTC was approved by the local authorities on Oct 14 and is being implemented in stages, according to location, to manage the unavoidable traffic congestion arising from construction activities along the affected roads.

“Mitigation measures will be carried out by MRTC to minimise the impact on existing traffic, ensure smooth vehicle movement, and improve traffic flow efficiency in key areas throughout the construction period of the Mutiara Line LRT,” he said, adding that MRTC will also provide alternative routes and traffic diversions as part of the approved TMP, which will be reviewed and refined monthly for future planning.

The Mutiara Line LRT, spanning 29.5 kilometres with 21 strategically located stations, is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang and the mainland, reduce road congestion and improve overall accessibility.

Its main alignment plan covers the route from the Penang South Reclamation (PSR-A) area to Penang Sentral and the Komtar Station in George Town, with train services scheduled to operate in rotation along the route.

-- BERNAMA