KUALA LUMPUR: MRT Corp is in the midst of appointing several companies to start work on the MRT Circle Line (MRT3) project, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
"Development of the MRT3 project involves five work packages.
"This involves a project management consultant (PMC), three for civil works (CMC) and one for the system works.
"At present, MRT Corp is in the process of appointing the PMC and the three CMCs.
"Tenders for the system work packages will be opened soon," the Transport Minister said when replying to a question by Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 18).
He informed the House that the MRT3 project covers a 51km loop with 39km located in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and 12km in Selangor.
He noted that 12km of the route is underground while 39km will be elevated.
He added that the project will also involve the development of two depots and 33 stations, 10 of which are interchange stations that will connect MRT3 to existing KTM, LRT, Monorail, MRT Kajang Line and MRT Putrajaya Line stations.
Ahmad wanted to know the status of several public transport projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), high speed rail (HSR), Pan-Borneo Highway and mass rapid transit (MRT).
He lamented that many road users were usually caught in traffic congestion and took much longer to reach their destinations or hometowns when travelling during long holiday breaks.
Dr Wee noted that the MRT3 project would improve connectivity in the Klang Valley while providing more transport options to the rakyat.
On the MRT2 or MRT Putrajaya Line, connecting Sungai Buloh, Serdang and Putrajaya, Dr Wee said that as of June, a total of 98.4% of the project has been completed and is expected to be operational by January next year.
"Its opening will encourage the use of public transport which will at the same time reduce traffic congestion," he said.
He added that the project covered 56.4km, 36 stations and four provisional stations.
"The first phase of the MRT Putrajaya Line involving 17.5km from the stations in Damasara and Kampung Baru began operations on June 16," he said.
On the ECRL, Dr Wee said 31.48% of the project of the 665km rail line had been completed as of June.
