Island-Butterworth LRT link to have minimal environmental impact

 Consultant for MRT Corp says studies show no major harm to marine life in the project area, but an NGO insists that the link be reconsidered.

The Penang LRT Mutiara Line, initially planned from Bayan Lepas to Komtar, was later extended to the mainland, a move announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (MRT Corp pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

 The Penang Mutiara LRT cross-sea segment linking the island to Butterworth is expected to have minimal environmental impact, according to MRT Corp’s environmental consultant.

Lee Hwok Lok of Aurecon Lestari Sdn Bhd said marine studies conducted for the cross-sea section found no major environmental concerns in the project area, with most recorded species not endangered, and seagrass in the wider Middle Bank area not under threat.

“We don’t expect the situation to be made worse,” he said during a presentation to the Penang Public Transport Users Association (Petua) here today.

Lee said marine surveys also found no endangered plankton or benthic species in the immediate project area, while sediment disturbance is expected to be limited as the project does not involve reclamation or dredging.

He said underwater noise levels in the Penang Strait are already high because of existing vessel traffic, with baseline readings at around 120dB and exceeding limits at five out of eight monitoring points even before construction.

“Out of eight sites, five were already above the 120dB threshold even before the project (begins construction),” he said.

As such, piling works were not expected to significantly worsen conditions, as lower-impact construction methods would be used.

Petua’s Zulfikar Abdul Aziz said MRT Corp should still reconsider the link altogether and study whether the use of a lane on the existing Penang Bridge for public transport would be feasible.

“The first bridge already has three lanes. If one lane is used for public transport, that does not automatically mean worse traffic. Public transport is about moving people, not just cars.

“If you use the first bridge, you lower the cost, lower the carbon footprint, and avoid the need for another bridge in the first place,” Zulfikar said.

The Mutiara Line LRT, initially planned from Bayan Lepas to Komtar, was later extended to the mainland, a move announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The cross-strait segment is expected to cut travel time between Penang Island and the mainland to about eight minutes, compared to up to 82 minutes during peak hours.

The project remains at the tender stage and is expected to be awarded by year’s end, and due for completion by 2031. - FMT