The first phase of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), involving the construction of the LRT project,” is scheduled to take off in the first half of 2017.

State local government, traffic management, and flood mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the design and the alignment of the LRT would be finalised next year.

He was stressing on the issue during the Penang Master Builders & Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA) 138th anniversary celebration.

Chow said the Gamuda-led SRS Consortium would submit the plan which included the reclamation aspects of the project to the local authorities for approval.

“The consortium would also be applying to the Federal authorities for the licence to do the LRT in Penang.

“No licence means the LRT project will not take off,” he said.

The SRS Consortium is a triumvirate joint venture of Gamuda Berhad, Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd and Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn, appointed as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) projects.

On the request from PMBBMDA to obtain jobs to be generated from the PTMP implementation, Chow said he would arrange a dialogue between SRS Consortium and PMBBMDA on the matter.

The PTMP is a massive effort to create new road networks, improve present carriageways and the pedestrian ecosystem.

This also includes significantly upgrading the public transport system by introducing new transport options including trams, a mass rapid transit (MRT) system and water taxis.

Source: TheStar.com.my