RM2.69bil Penang LRT contract awarded to China-Malaysia consortium

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has awarded a RM2.69 billion contract for a key cross-sea section of the Penang LRT Mutiara Line.

This paves the way for a direct rail link between Penang Island and the mainland.

The Civil Main Contract 2 (CMC2) package was awarded to a joint venture comprising China Communications Construction Company, TRC Construction and Ufuk Semarak.

MRT Corp said the contract covers designing and constructing a 5.5km extension from Macallum to Penang Sentral.

This includes a 3.05km sea-crossing bridge with navigational spans for vessels accessing the ports of Prai and Butterworth.

The extension will connect Penang Island with Seberang Perai and link the Mutiara Line to Penang Sentral, the state's main multimodal transport hub, allowing passengers to interchange with KTM rail services, ferries and buses.

MRT Corp said the journey between Komtar and Penang Sentral is expected to take about eight minutes.

The award comes as construction of the broader Mutiara Line reaches 16 per cent completion, with work remaining on schedule.

MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the CMC2 award marked an important step in extending the project's benefits to communities on both sides of the Penang Strait.

"This extension reflects the vision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who recognised from the outset that an investment of this magnitude must benefit communities on both sides of the strait."

Mohd Zarif said MRT Corp's responsibility was to deliver not only the infrastructure but also the long-term benefits promised by the project.

The company said a comprehensive traffic management plan is being implemented with relevant authorities to maintain traffic flow, safeguard the public and minimise disruption from construction works.

The Mutiara Line is among the country's major urban rail investments and is expected to support Penang's economic growth while improving connectivity and accessibility across the state.