MRT SSP line 30% complete

SERI KEMBANGAN: The ongoing construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh - Serdang - Putrajaya (SSP) line or better known as MRT2 is progressing smoothly and is now ready for the next phase of construction.
Its project director, Datuk Amiruddin Ma'aris, said the project has achieved an overall completion of 30% early this month.
"We have already started the long span viaduct crossover along Jalan Kuala Selangor and the track laying works on the main line is expected to start at the end of the year.
"Hence, as the construction progresses rapidly and on track along the Northern elevated alignment, we are confident that we will be able to complete the viaduct works in time according to schedule," Amiruddin said during a media briefing at one of the work sites for the line yesterday.
He added that the underground section of the MRT SSP line is also progressing well at 33.3%.
"Currently, there are two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) operating along the underground section from Bandar Malaysia to Chan Sow Lin and six other TBMs are scheduled to be launched between October and November this year.
"Other ongoing works such as secant bore piling (SBP), construction of the diaphragm wall, excavation and RC works for station boxes and shaft are taking place too," he said.
Asked if MRT Corp will look at reducing the construction cost for the line considering the estimated cost of RM32 billion, Amiruddin responded that while cost saving is one of the initiatives which the company might consider, there is a need for a thorough analysis and study on the matter.
The MRT SSP line is the second line of the Klang Valley MRT project and once completed, it will serve a corridor with a population of two million people stretching from Sungai Buloh, Serdang and Putrajaya.
The SSP line will have a total of 35 stations spanning 52.2km, 38.7km of elevated tracks and 13.5km underground tunnels, and phase one of the line is expected to be operational by July 2021 while the entire line will be fully operational the following year.