JOHOR BARU: Malaysia's infrastructure firms and Singapore will grant RTS Operations Pte Ltd access to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link's civil structures to commence rail system installations by the end of the year.
Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA), and RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) confirmed that the civil structures, including stations, tunnels, viaducts, and the maintenance depot, were progressing well as scheduled.
"InfraCos was granted earlier-than-scheduled access to RTSO at the RTS Link maintenance depot on 30th September to begin trackwork installation. Additional access to the remaining railway infrastructure will be progressively handed over starting at the end of the year," a joint statement read.
RTSO will undertake critical installation works, including track-laying and the integration of signalling, communications, supervisory control, and traction power supply systems.
Civil works in Malaysia, covering the maintenance depot, Bukit Chagar station, terrestrial viaducts, and marine viaducts, are 93 per cent completed. Focus in early 2025 will shift to fit-out and façade installations for the depot, station, and Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine (ICQ) complex, and other architectural, mechanical, and electrical installations and roadworks.
Progress on Singapore's side remains steady, with over 80 per cent of civil infrastructure works completed. The marine and land viaducts are nearing completion, and infrastructure firms will begin granting RTSO access for system installations by year-end.
"Remaining tasks include architectural works, roadworks, and the installation of electrical systems and immigration gates. These efforts require close coordination between parties in both nations," the statement read.
Construction to connect the RTS Link to the Thomson-East Coast Line's Woodlands North station in Singapore is scheduled to begin next year, to ensure seamless connectivity to Singapore's MRT network when operations begin.
Meanwhile, the RTS Link project's railway infrastructure is completed, connecting the Wadi Hana depot in Johor Baru to Woodlands North.
To commemorate the achievement, both Malaysia and the republic installed an iconic viaduct aesthetic feature near the marine viaduct's connecting span. Designed as clasping hands, the structure symbolises the enduring partnership and close ties between both countries.
Due for completion in 2026, the RTS Link will serve as a 4km light rail transit shuttle, connecting Bukit Chagar station to Woodlands North station. It is expected to handle up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction during peak periods, significantly easing cross-border congestion.