THE Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project is gathering pace with 16 work sites now operating along the alignment across Penang island.
SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd project director Datuk Adil Putra Ahmad said bored piling works were progressing according to schedule despite the challenges involving utility relocation and limited working space on busy roads.
He said Bandar Sri Pinang, where the project’s groundbreaking ceremony was held, was the most advanced construction site, while the busiest sites were on Jalan Tengah and near Sungai Nibong.
“We have 21 bored piling rigs, 70 cranes and more than 100 excavators operating at these sites,” he said.
According to Adil Putra, more than 21,000 plastic and concrete safety barriers have also been deployed along the route.
He said more than 1,800 management personnel, engineers, consultants and construction workers were involved in the project, with the workforce expected to reach 6,000 during peak construction.
He stressed that efforts were also being made to minimise traffic disruption caused by the construction, particularly along major roads serving residential and industrial areas.
The Traffic Management Plan (TMP), introduced in phases since last year, has brought improvements to traffic flow in certain areas, he said.
“This includes the Jalan Tengah junction near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) where traffic lights were removed to allow vehicles to move continuously.
“Our FIZ stakeholders told us their employees are arriving for work earlier than before.
“We will continue making refinements to ensure the TMP delivers positive outcomes wherever deployed,” he added.
Adil Putra said further traffic management measures would be introduced at the Sunny Point junction in Batu Uban and around Komtar over the next six months.
Beyond improving public transport, he said the project was also creating substantial economic opportunities for local businesses.
A total of 149 Penang-based subcontractors and suppliers secured contracts worth more than RM397mil under the Civil Main Contractor 1 (CMC1) package undertaken by SRS Consortium.
The contracts cover structural works, material supply, site services and technical consultancy.
“The Mutiara Line serves as an excellent platform for local contractors to participate in a modern, multi-billion-ringgit urban rail project,” said Adil Putra.
“We are exposing local contractors to LRT works, giving them hands-on experience in a mega rail project and helping them improve their skills and competitiveness.”
He said the company was also engaging schools and tertiary institutions to introduce students to civil engineering and rail infrastructure development.
“To us, developing future talent and upskilling contractors are just as important and rewarding as building the LRT,” he added.
The CMC1 package covers 23.7km of elevated tracks and 19 stations stretching from Komtar to a depot on Silicon Island (a 930ha reclaimed island off the southern coast of Penang island).
Once completed, the line is expected to provide an alternative to road transport by connecting major residential, commercial and industrial areas.
The project will also feature park-and-ride facilities with a total of 1,800 parking bays.
Spanning 29.67km with 20 stations and two provisional stations, the Mutiara Line – which commenced construction last year – is expected to begin operations in December 2031.
The RM16.8bil Mutiara Line LRT project includes a 6km cross-sea link from Macallum to Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
