Pedestrian bridge 20 years in the making opens

Weather proof: The new pedestrian link bridge takes you over a river and busy roads from the Gardens Mall to LRT and KTM Komuter stations.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 250m-long pedestrian linkway that has been 20 years in the making has finally opened for service.

The bridge spanning the Klang River and the Bangsar-Petaling Jaya bypass, allows commuters to walk comfortably between the Abdullah Hukum LRT and KTM Komuter stations, all the way to the shopping malls and offices in Mid Valley, while allowing full access to KL Eco City.

Mid Valley’s Megamall opened in 1999, the same year the Kelana Jaya LRT started operations. But apparently, pedestrian connectivity was the last thing on the minds of city and transport planners.

The idea for the linkway gained momentum after SP Setia Bhd started developing KL Eco City which sits between Mid Valley and the train stations.

The opening of the bridge was carried out without fanfare, with users sharing the event with friends and colleagues over social media.

A survey by The Star found many excited commuters checking out the bridge. Some of them walked over from nearby offices while others snapped pictures of the scenery and took selfies.

The bridge may transform the habits of many who work in offices around Mid Valley.

An executive named Malik said he is now seriously considering taking the LRT from Subang Jaya, where he lives, as it will be a seamless journey on the same line without needing to change trains.

His colleague, Thina, is also thinking of ditching his car to take the Komuter service from Kepong (using the Tanjung Malim-Port Klang line), where he lives.

Executive Karyn Chua, who works in the same area, is thankful for the bridge.

“Previously, those walking from the LRT to Mid Valley were exposed to serious danger, never mind the sun, rain or distance. This bridge has long been awaited.”

Given the considerable number of office workers and shoppers in the area, the linkway will cement the Kelana Jaya Line’s status as the country’s most-used urban rail line, averaging close to 330,000 users on each working day.

Ridership is projected to go up when more businesses and offices open up in the area, in addition to more commuters and shoppers ditching their cars for rail.

The linkway is open from 6am to 1am daily, well after the last LRT train for the day leaves, which is typically around 11.30pm.