THE Penang government today announced that it has agreed to have some of its proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations underground instead of elevated.
Following a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke and a presentation by MRT Corp (Mass Rapid Transit Corporation) on the latest alignments on Aug 17, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the proposed underground sections would be in the city centre in George Town.
“Despite the proposal, MRT Corp will first conduct a feasibility study on the suitability of the updated alignments, the possible effects on the land surface and the soil erosion issues.
“If this is successful, one of the underground stations in the city centre would serve as a major interchange that will pave the way for a future undersea train line connecting the island and Seberang Perai,” Chow told a press conference at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today.
In May, Loke announced that the proposed first alignment of the LRT would be extended to Tanjung Bungah instead of ending just in Komtar.
The initial plan – with a total of 27 stations, the first alignment which falls under Phase One, will stretch as far as 29km, and the proposed LRT station was the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park.
Chow said as per the latest proposal, the undersea train link would be a part of a future phase of LRT lines that would extend to the entire length of Seberang Perai – from Kepala Batas to Simpang Ampat.
Phase One construction works are expected to start later this year and are to be completed in five years.
On a related matter, Chow said MRT Corp has proposed four depots to be built as part of the entire Penang LRT project.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhammad