MMC-Gamuda JV has been appointed Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the US$11.5bn, 150km+ long Kuala Lumpur MRT. The project comprises three new lines with some 56km of TBM tunnelling worth some US$4.5bn. A minimum of 10 TBMs will be needed to tunnel through the region’s Karstic Limestone, Kenny Hill Formation and Granite. Site construction work is due to start for the first line in July 2011, with major construction contracts let throughout next year.
The first line to start will run from Sungai Buloh to Kajang passing through the centre of Kuala Lumpur, with a total length of 17.4km of tunnels, 7 underground stations, 40km of elevated line, and 28 elevated stations. The second line will have 17km of tunnels, 7 underground stations, 37km elevated and 23 elevated stations. The third line will have 18.4km of tunnels, 4 underground stations, 23.8km elevated and 15 elevated stations. There will also be 4 new depots.
Local news reports from Malaysia say MMC-Gamuda may not just act as PDP on the project, but will also be allowed to bid for the actual tunnelling works, but not for other sections of the project.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told local press, “The government felt the exception should be made as the PDP is the only local construction company that has experience in major tunneling works such as in the SMART Tunnel project in Kuala Lumpur and the Kaohsiung MRT project in Taiwan.”
“The PDP will assume the role of a project manager but with the added responsibility of having to deliver the project within an agreed time and cost. Any cost over run and delays in project completion, which are basic common risks in projects, will be borne by the PDP,” he added.
Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, will be project owner, while the Land Public Transport Commission will act as the project supervising authority.
It is expected that the MRT’s construction will create 130,000 new jobs, generate a gross national income of US$1bn – US$1.3bn, and a daily ridership of 400,000.
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