CONSTRUCTION of the Penang LRT Mutiara Line continues to make steady progress, with works at the Bandar Sri Pinang and Penang International Airport (PIA) stations currently the most advanced along the alignment since the project’s groundbreaking at Bandar Sri Pinang in January 2025.
Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by the state executive councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Digital, Zairil Khir Johari, visited both sites this morning to inspect the latest construction progress and received a project briefing from Civil Main Contractor 1, SRS Consortium.
Speaking after the visit, Chow said Penangites may soon get a clearer picture of the future appearance of the Mutiara Line stations, as station designs are currently awaiting final approval from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
“The station designs are presently undergoing the final approval process, and we expect the green light from MBPP in the near future,” he said.
Spanning 29.67 km of viaduct length with 22 strategically placed stations, the RM16.8 billion LRT Mutiara Line forms the backbone of the Penang Transport Master Plan. It will connect key areas of Penang Island and the mainland, enhancing accessibility and easing road congestion.
At the Penang International Airport station site, Chow was informed that construction of the station piers and viaduct is progressing well, with five piers already taking shape.
“At Bandar Sri Pinang, progress is even more advanced. The station foundation and columns have been completed, and we are now entering the next phase of active station construction, with six piers currently under construction and the installation of crossheads expected to begin soon,” he said.
Crossheads are large horizontal concrete structures installed atop station columns, forming the primary support framework for the station structure.
Strategically located within a densely populated coastal township, the Bandar Sri Pinang station is expected to serve as a major catchment hub along the Mutiara Line. The station will serve residents of the surrounding high-rise developments and provide convenient access to Persiaran Karpal Singh, one of Penang’s key lifestyle, retail, and food-and-beverage destinations. Access points on both sides of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway will enhance connectivity between residential and commercial areas.
Meanwhile, the PIA station will function as a key international gateway, supporting tourism, business travel, investment, and Penang’s global connectivity. The station will feature a dedicated link bridge connecting directly to the airport’s new terminal and provide seamless access to major destinations including the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), Komtar, and Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
Chow noted that construction activities are expected to intensify in the second half of 2026 as works move into the superstructure phase.
“With the commencement of superstructure works, the public should be prepared for some temporary inconveniences. The implementation of the project’s Traffic Management Plan (TMP) within the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, as well as the progressive closure of selected lanes along the 23.7-kilometre alignment between Komtar and Silicon Island, are clear indications that construction is entering a more active stage,” he said.
Pier construction is currently underway at 14 locations along the alignment, including Permatang Damar Laut, Gelugor, SPICE, East Jelutong, Macallum, and the area adjacent to Cecil Residensi.
Of the three critical TMP zones identified for the project, the first was successfully implemented at the Jalan Tengah–Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah junction in early May. The remaining two critical TMP implementations are scheduled for the second half of this year.
Also present during the site visit were MRT Mutiara project director Azmi Abd Rahman; SRS Consortium adviser Datuk Seri Dr Ooi Eng Hock, and SRS Consortium project director for the Mutiara Line project Adil Putra Ahmad.
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi & Siew Chia En
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat & Darwina Mohd Daud