LRT3 Nears Completion with 95.6% Progress, Operational by 3Q Next Year
Construction on the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project, which spans from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia in Selangor, has reached 95.6% completion and is slated to be operational by the third quarter of next year, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
Construction and Integration
Anthony Loke announced that the construction work on the alignment, which includes 20 stations, is expected to be finalized by this October. Following this, system integration work will take several months, extending into early next year. “After this process, we will be ready for testing and commissioning, which will take three to four months before starting operations by the third quarter of next year,” he said during an inspection at the Pasar Jawa Station on Monday.
Slight Delay Due to Pandemic
The expected operational timeline has been slightly delayed from the original target set for March next year. This delay is partly due to interruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reinstatement of Original Scope
The Cabinet meeting on July 5 agreed to reinstate the original scope of the LRT3 project, involving five previously canceled stations: Tropicana, Temasya, Raja Muda, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanik. This reinstatement will include the purchase of an additional seven sets of three-car trains, the expansion of the train depot at Johan Setia, and the acquisition of 150 electric buses for feeder services, along with the construction of two bus depots.
The reinstatement process will incur an additional cost of RM3.8 billion. However, Loke emphasized that this will not affect the opening and operational dates for the 20 stations.
Enhancing Public Transport in Klang Valley
Loke highlighted the government’s commitment to improving and promoting the use of public transport, especially in the Klang Valley. The reinstated route will serve several high-density areas, including Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang, which previously lacked an LRT system.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the presentation of Budget 2024 that the government would resume the construction of the five LRT3 stations. This move aims to improve public transportation and accommodate the growing needs of these densely populated areas.
Project Cost and Future Developments
The entire LRT3 project, starting from Bandar Utama and ending at Johan Setia, is estimated to cost approximately RM16 billion. The reinstatement of the five stations and additional enhancements reflect the government’s dedication to providing a robust public transportation network.
Additional Announcement on Motorcycle Licences
On another note, Loke mentioned that the ministry has made a decision regarding the automatic upgrade of motorcycle licenses from class B2 to full B class. The details of this decision will be announced soon. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously indicated that factors such as age limit and the duration of holding a B2 class motorcycle license need to be considered before finalizing this proposal.
Conclusion
The nearing completion of the LRT3 project and the reinstatement of five key stations highlight the government’s efforts to enhance public transport infrastructure in Malaysia. Once operational, the LRT3 line will significantly improve connectivity for residents in Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang, contributing to the overall efficiency and accessibility of the Klang Valley’s public transportation system.
