First LRT project in Penang next year
Penang is set to get its maiden LRT project – a 17.5km elevated stretch linking Komtar with the Penang International Airport.
With construction slated to begin next year, the RM4.5bil project is part of a package of solutions for an island that has long been choking on its traffic.
The LRT project – expected to be awarded in June – will mark the realisation of the long-awaited implementation of the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which also includes a 25km expressway linking Bayan Lepas and Tanjung Bungah.
According to reliable sources, Gamuda Bhd, IJM Corp Bhd, and a Chinese company have been shortlisted to undertake the projects, the bulk of which would be funded through land reclamation rights in the state.
The LRT and new expressway will be built using the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) concept, where the PDP will step in to resolve problems should parts of the construction fail to meet construction criteria.
In Penang’s case, should either one of the Malaysian companies get the award, it would have to partner with the Chinese company, especially in the construction of the LRT project.
It would be likewise should the Chinese company win the contract.
Six consortia, including three foreign-Malaysian partnerships as well as three Malaysian public listed companies, have put in their bids following Penang’s invitation last August to qualified companies to serve as the PDP for the PTMP.
The payoff for building the LRT project is the right to reclaim 1,618ha at either the southern part of the island, of which about 485ha will be used for the future expansion of the airport and to expand the Free Industrial Zone, or at a 607ha stretch between the Penang Bridge and the mouth of Sungai Pinang, an area popularly known as the Middle Bank.
Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had said the appointed PDP must be a reliable partner to guarantee the success of the projects.
“They will have to oversee all the projects estimated at RM27bil. The costs cover highway infrastructure (RM16bil) and public transport (RM9bil), while the institutional costs amount to RM905mil,” he said, adding that Penang alone would foot some RM10bil of the total cost.
In a subsequent interview, Chow said the LRT line – which will be supported by a revamped stage bus system and trams – would be a priority, with completion targeted for five to six years.
In return for their role in realising the state transport master plan, the Chinese company will get to reclaim about 566ha in Seberang Prai, of which 161.8ha is located near the North Butterworth Container Terminal and 404ha near Bagan.
It is learnt that it will take a year to get necessary approvals for the reclamation works,
Chow said some of the projects would fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
“The RM10bil allocation from the state does not include the RM6.3bil for the undersea tunnel and three expressway projects,” he said.
The 6.5km road tunnel is planned to run from Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam in Butterworth. The expressways include a 4.2km bypass from Persiaran Gurney to Persiaran Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a 4.6km expressway and by-pass from Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Bandar Baru Air Itam and a four-lane 12km road linking Tanjung Bungah with Teluk Bahang.
Source: TheStar.com.my
Indicative Station Locations
Why Komtar ? Adding jam to that area !!!!!!!!!!!!!
no mega project in penang in the last 7 years has kicked off, do you think this one can? tones of mega projects proposed, but just talk only.
I thought the LRT stations are most frequently build at city center to reduce jam at that area because most ppl can reach there without own transport, but funny when i see the comment above of building LRT to adding jam and asking WHY some more.
wow that’s a great start……
@Why
Anyone knows where are the proposed stops? IJM will make one stop at The Light for sure.
@Why
Hi Why…..jam is a definite during construction but it was a must endure progress.
Once it complete, then many people will benefits out of the project.
Your question is a little like “wanting baby but do not want to go through the process of child bearing”
Anyone know the routing the LRT will passing by?
Assume there will be one stop at SPICE and entrance to Relau which pack with residency.
Good Job Chief minister , He not just talk but he really take in action
@syeoh1
17.5km only, should be passing through FTZ straight to Lim CY highway. Queensbay and IJM will benefit.
@IsaacTan
Why must they link Komtar to Penang International Airport ? Why must
passengers have to go to Komtar before proceeding to airport ? There is
no other place better than Komtar ?
I am not talking about the jam during the construction period.
why no link between Farlim and Komtar & Gurney?
@Why
Komtar is obviously the heart of Georgetown. You can then take tram and bus to go to wherever you want to go in Georgetown. There are many projects going on around Komtar. It makes sense.
@rob8
Last paragraph mentions plan for Farlim and Gurney.
Great news….buy the asset follow the LRT stop….u will never goes wrong
is it talk only or this is something more? Looks like more woh!
@lmt
But why do I have to go Komtar if I am going to the airport ? Komtar is
already half dead as Penang Times Square.
@david
any idea where is the stop? From penang transport masterplan under level 4 package can see that the track will go through gelugor (closer to the bridge) area. Guess, all IJM projects will benefits from this.
In the masterplan, it shows 3 routes, komtar-airport, komtar-feringgi and komtar-balik pulau/relau
@man-utd
Guessing only… Airport, FTZ, Jalan Tengah, Krystal Point, Pesta, USM, The Light, Sungai Pinang, Komtar. Too many stops?
if they had any sense, they would want to direct people away from Komtar. That part of Penang is not very nice, a real eyesore for tourists and locals alike
Better to have it stop at the other end of Penang rd, nearer to E&O hotel and the nicer colonial buildings. Komtar area should be demolished and rebuilt
Let the expert to layout the line. I belived need to learn from Singapaore and HK for the route. We need to do differencely as population inside island will not enought to support the business case. Means that, they need to attract ppl to buy this in order to sustain the business. So I think/suggest the best initial link should be Housing estate to Business district and also the FTZ. 2nd phase might come later after profit can be sustain by the operator
@Why
That is the starting point of the LRT route and not from KOMTAR to airport directly with only 2 stations. There are stations in between.
Ceh….false alarm
1) Express Highway, 2) Undersea tunnel 3) LRT 4) Cable Car?
Which one will happen? LOng waited…
none of it…
5) Bicycle lanes .. lol
@goh
2nd bridge? Elevated highway from QBM to 2nd bridge? Elevated highway from Airport to Teluk Kumbar? Slowly but surely…
Can they extend one big circle of Penang Island and make a stopping point/station? Perhaps, eg.: Balik Pulau -> Teluk Kumbar -> PIA (Penang International Airport) -> Batu Maung -> Bayan Lepas -> Bayan Baru -> Batu Uban, Gelugor -> Jelutong -> George Town -> Weld Quay -> Gurney Drive -> Tanjung Bunga -> Batu Feringghi -> Teluk Bahang -> Balik Pulau
Just my suggestion (I welcome anyone’s feedback if they have any other suggestion or better idea).
@Why
Not everyone going to the airport, mind you