BUTTERWORTH: The LRT bridge crossing the sea here by 2031 is set to be an engineering feat that will be a first in Malaysia.
For starters, while Penang Bridge’s maximum clearance is 33m from the highest tide to its deck, the LRT bridge’s published specifications show that it will be over 60m, which is almost the same clearance of Hong Kong’s Tsing Ma Bridge for road and rail, one of the highest in the world.
Data from the public inspection exercise of the Revised Railway Scheme of Mutiara Line shows that this bridge will have two main navigation spans, each 450m in length.
This will create a two-way navigational corridor for large ships to pass below, and even Penang’s ferry passengers will get to pass below the bridge every time.
While tall vessels like cruise or container ships need not cross, many smaller ships must still pass below this bridge to access Penang Port facilities including the deep water wharves, vegetable oil tanker pier and bulk cargo terminal.
To hold up the main spans, three cable-stayed towers are planned, with the overall structure capped at 153m above sea level under Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia height restrictions.
The 3.05km bridge provides the passage for trains coming out of the island from Macallum Street Ghaut to reach Penang Sentral at Butterworth, a multimodal transport hub that combines the cross channel ferry, KTM railway station, and an express bus terminal.
Exhibits on the ongoing public display and project website show that the journey from Komtar to Penang Sentral will take just eight minutes, faster than any route between the island and the mainland.
Earlier proposals had included a jogging and cycling track along the bridge, and it is learnt that this will be finalised after the tender is awarded.
All stations including Penang Sentral will be equipped with universal access facilities such as elevated walkways and tactile tiles for the visually impaired.
With the LRT connection, people on the mainland will be able to reach Penang International Airport with a single train ride.
With approximately 1,000 parking bays available at Penang Sentral, users can park their vehicles before continuing their journey by LRT.
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.
Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (MRT Corp) public inspection booths are at key locations, including Komtar, Penang Sentral, the KTM station at Butterworth, and the Land Public Transport Agency’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Members of the public can visit the booths to inspect the details and provide feedback until May 24, while related materials and details are also accessible at www.mymrt.com.my.
