KUALA LUMPUR: MASS Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) is planning the construction of a third line for the Klang Valley MRT (KVMRT) project.
The third route, which will be known as the circle line due to its circular track, will be built entirely underground.
MRT Corp Sdn Bhd strategic communications and stakeholder relations director Datuk Najmuddin Abdullah said the track would provide shorter travelling time and better connectivity between rail lines.
He said MRT Corp had appointed an independent consultant to carry out an engineering feasibility study for the project.
“There are so many buildings in the city centre.
“It is almost impossible to pass the buildings.
“That is why the line will have to go underground.
“The consultant is expected to complete the first report on the first quarter of next year or earliest by December.
“We will share more information about this route after we have received the findings from the report,” Najmuddin said at a media briefing on the latest developments in the KVMRT project here yesterday.
The Business Times recently reported that Line 3 may cover a distance of between 45km and 48km or longer, depending on the final alignment and would cost at least RM50 billion.
Underground portions are more expensive than at-grade transit lines or elevated guideways. Every 1km built underground with stations and systems will cost RM1 billion.
Line 3 is expected to cover Ampang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Tun Razak Exchange, Bandar Malaysia, KL Ecocity, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Mont Kiara and Sentul.
It will be integrated with the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line 1 and Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line 2.
It is expected that the award of jobs for Line 3 may start from the second quarter of next year.