RTS LINK TAKES SHAPE WITH COMPLETION OF MAJOR FACADE STEEL WORKS

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) today marked a major construction milestone for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link with the completion of the inner facade steel bands at the Bukit Chagar Station, here.

In a statement today, MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the inner bands form the station roof, providing permanent protection over the platforms while giving the station its defining structure.

He said this milestone brings the project step closer to operational readiness, as it progresses towards its targeted commencement of service on Dec 31 this year.

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"The completion of the inner bands also allows facade works to move into their final phase, with external cladding and glass installation now underway," he added.

He said the installation works were awarded in January 2024 to Rohas Sediabena Builders Consortium Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Rohas-Euco Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rohas Tecnic Bhd, and Sediabena Builders Sdn Bhd.

"What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that the facades final design development, fabrication, construction and installation have been carried out entirely by Malaysian contractors," he said.

He added that the overall construction of the RTS Link continues to progress well ahead of schedule, supported by strong coordination across civil, architectural, systems and station works. 

Multiple construction packages are advancing in parallel, enabling earlier access for follow-on trades and systems installation. 

Meanwhile group chief executive officer of Rohas Tecnic Group Amirul Baharom said, the facade is a complex structure that demands careful planning, coordinated fabrication and disciplined execution.

"From large-scale off-site fabrication to on-site installation, this milestone demonstrates that Malaysian companies have the capability, capacity and systems to deliver major infrastructure to international standards," he said.

Inspired by the image of two hands holding each other’s wrists, the facade symbolises mutual support and shared purpose of the project.

The roof facade structure measures approximately 50 metres in height, 200 metres in length and 50 metres in width, incorporating sixteen steel bands, a rainscreen system, skylight and spire. 

More than 40,000 square metres of fabrication capacity across specialised facilities in Bentong, Seremban and Tapah were utilised to meet rigorous engineering and quality requirements.

-- BERNAMA