Cracks in main pillar near LRT station, delays on Ampang line

 

The Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT line was delayed after cracks were found in a main pillar of a flyover near the Bandaraya station.

A kink was also found on the tracks, prompting RapidKL to reroute the line for safety measures.

Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, in a statement today, said preliminary observations found that the structural damage is believed to be the result of construction works nearby.

“Rapid Rail engineers together with structural experts are currently in the area to assess the situation and ensure its safety and strength.

“Due to safety factors, Rapid Rail decided to close the route between Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya stations until stability and safety can be ensured,” the statement read.

The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) said a construction project was found next to the railway tracks within the LRT reserve but Apad was not consulted over the matter, as required by law.

As such, Apad urges the Kuala Lumpur mayor to immediately suspend the construction project and any activities in railway reserves until the cause of the damage is determined and safety measures are in place.

Apad is working with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the Public Works Department and Prasarana to determine the cause.

Meanwhile, Rapid Rail said the train frequency for this line will now be every 18 minutes for non-central business district stations and every nine minutes for central business district stations.

Trains from the Putra Heights station will turn back at Plaza Rakyat station while trains from the Sentul Timur station will be rerouted to the Bandaraya station.

Shuttle services are available between Plaza Rakyat and Masjid Jamek stations, it added.

Alternative bus services have also been activated to accommodate passengers commuting between Bandaraya and Plaza Rakyat stations, as well as from Sentul Timur to Bandaraya stations.

“Auxiliary police personnel have been deployed to the main station to control congestion. Rapid Rail would like to apologise to the passengers for the inconvenience caused,” according to the statement. - Mkini