GEORGE TOWN: Phase 1 of Penang's upcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, initially planned from Penang International Airport (PIA) to Komtar, has now been extended all the way to Tanjung Bungah.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that after reviewing the project's proposal, MRT Corp felt the route should go all the way there, covering 29km with 27 stations.
"Initially, the first phase was to be from PIA in Bayan Lepas to Komtar in George Town.
"Komtar will be a main station in the city located next to Sia Boey Urban Archeological Park," he told a press conference at the park on Tuesday (May 30).
Loke said the matter of situating the project's depot on existing land instead of the reclaimed islands south of Penang will be decided soon.
"Without the decision of the depot's location, we cannot finalise the cost and alignment," he added.
Loke said if all goes smoothly and approval is given by the Finance Ministry, the project is expected to start this year and be completed in five years' time.
The RM4.5bil project is part of Penang's multi-billion-ringgit Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The current Federal Government recently announced that funds will be allocated for Penang to expedite the LRT project.
