Penang’s Mutiara Line LRT construction begins January 2026, continues through Chinese New Year and Aidilfitri with traffic management plans.
GEORGE TOWN: Construction of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit project will proceed as scheduled from January 2026, continuing through Chinese New Year and Aidilfitri celebrations.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari confirmed the timeline cannot be delayed due to the tight construction schedule requiring completion by December 2031.
“Any delay in meeting the project’s completion target will trigger a penalty clause as stipulated in the contract,” he told the Penang state assembly.
He assured that Traffic Management Plans during festive seasons will be arranged to minimise disruption to traffic flow and ensure road user safety.
Zairil was responding to Lim Guan Eng’s query about project costs, start dates, and potential postponements until after Aidilfitri.
The contractor SRS Consortium has identified three hotspot locations most affected by construction works.
These include Jalan Magazine, the junction near Sunny Point in Batu Uban, and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation has been instructed to prepare Traffic Management Plans for each station site from George Town to Permatang Damar Laut.
The detailed plan approved by local authorities on October 14 is being implemented in stages to manage unavoidable traffic congestion.
“Mitigation measures will be carried out by MRTC to minimise impact on existing traffic,” Zairil said.
The corporation will provide alternative routes and traffic diversions as part of the approved management plan.
These measures will be reviewed and refined monthly for future planning throughout the construction period.
The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations to enhance connectivity.
It aims to reduce road congestion and improve accessibility between Penang and the mainland.
The main alignment covers the route from Penang South Reclamation area to Penang Sentral and Komtar Station in George Town.
Train services will operate in rotation along the completed route. – Bernama
