The change in the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) alignment from Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, as announced yesterday, would increase the cost of construction by RM350 million due to an additional length of 1.2km of track – apart from building one more station.

Syarikat Prasarana Malaysia Bhd LRT3 project director Norlia Noah said: “According to the original LRT3 plan, Prasarana will construct 25 stations along the alignment.

However with the change, we will have to add one more station, making a total of 26 stations upon completion.

The project is scheduled to be completed by Aug 31, 2020 as part of the National Land Public Transport Masterplan towards the development of an efficient, effective, integrated and sustainable land public transport system to raise the level of the people’s socio-economic wellbeing and their quality of life.

The realignment was well-received by Taman Muhibbah residents at a public hearing on the project organised by Prasarana today.
According to the initial plan, the LRT3 alignment will cross Taman Muhibbah and about 12 units houses as well as eight units of shophouses in the housing area will be acquired and demolished.

An affected resident, Tan Saw Lan, 79, said she was very happy after finding out Prasarana agreed to amend the LRT3 alignment.

Tan, who is living with her son, said under the original alignment their double-storey house they have been living in for 34 years will be acquired and demolished to construct the alignment. “I am relieved today as I was worried about selling my house and find a new house.

Another resident, Raymond Chung, 61, said the change in route was safer as it no longer passes through dense residential areas.
Norlia said Prasarana agreed to change the alignment after taking into consideration the views and suggestions given by the affected residents.

If possible, Prasarana wants minimal social impact on residents and apart from changing the alignment, LRT3 is also projected to get an increase of 3,500 passengers daily.