A railway scheme is a government approved-plan outlining the route, design and land use for a rail project, which is a requirement under the Railways Act 1991 before construction can begin.
Such a scheme was approved for Penang in 2019, but it was only for an island line.
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the company was seeking approval to modify the original alignment, which did not cover Penang Sentral in Butterworth, the state’s key transport hub on the mainland.
“Soil investigation work is already underway at several locations, including East Jelutong, to prepare for the LRT project,” he said.
The cross-channel link will be 6km long and involves constructing a 3.2km sea viaduct with navigational spans that allow vessels to sail smoothly to the ports in Prai and Butterworth.
Chow said MRT Corp was also conducting a value management workshop with the economy ministry and SRS Consortium, the appointed contractor, to finalise the station layouts, track alignment and construction costs.
A value management workshop focuses on ways to save costs and improve a project before it starts. The workshop started yesterday and will conclude on Friday.
Chow also said about 100 plots of land had been earmarked for acquisition by the federal government for the LRT project.
“Landowners affected by the acquisition would receive notices in about three months’ time, with compensation determined through a valuation and hearing process,” he said.
Chow said the tender period for the train systems and other related parts had been extended to June due to overwhelming interest and “potential tenderers”.
3 acres of Pesta site to remain untouched
The chief minister also revealed that only 13 of the 16 acres of the Pesta site would be converted into a LRT depot and for a mixed development project.
The remainder would be reserved to maintain the fairground for posterity in line with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call to respect Penang’s heritage, Chow said.
Chow said the transport-oriented development project would integrate the existing Sungai Nibong bus terminal, the city council’s bus stand and Rapid Penang’s bus depot.
“The entire LRT project, including other developments, will not undergo the regular planning permission process,” he said.
Instead of going through the usual process, Chow said, MRT Corp would submit plans for review by technical agencies such as the public works and fire and rescue departments.
Once they provide feedback and the conditions are met, the state planning committee can approve the project, allowing work to proceed at a faster rate.
The proposed Mutiara LRT line is set to be built in two phases, with the first running 29km, connecting Komtar to Bayan Lepas with a total of 21 stations.
The line is expected to open in 2031 at an estimated cost of RM13 billion.
The second phase will see a link from the proposed Macallum station on the island to Penang Sentral in Butterworth via an over-the-sea rail bridge.
Earlier, Chow presented state aid to members of the disabled community and the poor at an event at Komtar.