MRT 3 tender to be opened this year, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: The five main packages for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) 3 line are to be up for tender this year, and are expected to be completed in phases in six to eight years, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Following a question from the Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh during Parliament on Tuesday (15 March), the Transport Minister said in a Facebook post, the route was expected to be fully completed by 2030 and would start operating in phases, with the first phase to be opened as early as December 2028 subject to a land acquisition process.

“The project will be financed in a hybrid manner involving funding sources such as sukuk with government guarantees and also deferred payment financing,” said Dr Wee.

Dr Wee added that the MRT 3 project was a ring route that covers the rural perimeter of Kuala Lumpur and part of the densely populated areas in Ampang Jaya, Selangor.

“Based on a technical feasibility study, the latest proposal for the MRT 3 project is a 51km long loop with 39km located in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and 12 km in Selangor.

"The ring line will cross the existing rail network, including the MRT1, MRT2, LRT, Monorail and KTM Komuter lines,” the MCA president said.

It was said that the MRT 3 project will form 10 new interchange stations to ensure a more comprehensive, continuous and efficient public transportation system in Klang Valley.

“Eighty per cent of the entire alignment is an elevated route, while 20% is an underground route,” he said.

The MRT 3 project was approved by the Cabinet on March 4 and is set to complement the metro rail network in Klang Valley.