by SULHI KHALID/ pic by ARIF KARTONO
THE Mass Rapid Transit Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line (MRT2) work progress is 54% complete with its Phase 1 set to begin operation in July 2021.
According to MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd, the contractor for the underground portion of the MRT2 project, Phase 1 will start from the Sungai Buloh station to the Kampung Batu station, while Phase 2 is slated to begin operation in July 2022.
“This overall progress includes elevated north and south, underground works and systems,” MMC-Gamuda deputy project director (elevated section) Amir Malik Faeizhe told reporters during a media tour in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
The 52.2km SSP Line comprises 38.7km of elevated tracks and 13.5km running through underground tunnels.
It will have 35 stations, of which 24 are elevated and 11 underground.
Upon completion of the project, the railway line is expected to serve a catchment population of two million people in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya.
Amir said MMC-Gamuda is committed to ensuring public safety, while minimising any inconvenience caused during the construction phase.
“Two methods are therefore commonly employed to construct a standard span viaduct for the MRT SSP Line, namely by using either the Launching Gantry (LG) or Crane Erect Trestle System.
“Using these methods would give us the advantage of being able to rapidly erect viaduct spans on-site with minimal disruption to public movement and the traffic below,” he said.
Both the LG and segmental box girder launching construction methods follow stringent safety procedures. The LG is thoroughly tested and inspected by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health prior to being erected over the road.
Meanwhile, MMC-Gamuda deputy GM (civil and structure) Tan Wen Loong said job safety analysis is completed before the start of the works via a method statement, which then needs to be reviewed and approved by consultants, safety specialists and the project team.
He also said this is done before the work package contractor can carry out any lifting works.
“As a precaution and in line with authorities’ requirements, segment lifting and installation are never done over live traffic.
“The segment launching works are done only at night during road closures and within a tight duration,” he said.
Launched in 2016, the project is expected to have a ridership of 529,000 passengers per day.
MMC-Gamuda estimates time travelling for commuters from Sungai Buloh to Putrajaya is 80 minutes.
The first MRT line, from Sungai Buloh to Kajang, was launched in 2017. Last year, it saw a total of 51.3 million ridership.
Sumber: The Malaysian Reserve