Penang LRT Bridge Tender: Main Bidders Identified

MRT Corp is on track to launch tenders for the bridge portion of the Penang Mutiara Line (PML) LRT by October 2025, according to a recent research report from CIMB Research citing a news article. The report highlights that this tender is for a 5-kilometer bridge designed to connect Komtar to Penang Sentral in Butterworth. The planned bridge is a key component of the ambitious public transport project and is designed with a maximum height clearance of 62 meters above sea level to avoid disrupting the maritime route between Butterworth’s North and South Ports. The tender for the bridge package follows the official start of construction for the PML on June 23, 2025. The initial civil works contract was awarded to SRS Consortium for a 24-kilometer stretch from Komtar to the Penang South Reclamation Island (Silicon Island). Gamuda holds a 60% stake in the SRS Consortium, with the remainder held by Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development. Revised Project Costs and Bidding Landscape Through a value engineering exercise, the total project cost for the PML is now projected to be less than RM16 billion. This represents a significant cost saving of approximately RM2-3 billion compared to conventional construction methods. The revised cost also accounts for land acquisition and the Butterworth link, which were not included in the original RM10 billion estimate. Simultaneously, the systems package for the PML has attracted considerable interest from both local and international contractors, with at least seven companies reportedly submitting bids. To qualify, bidders must meet strict conditions, including a track record of completing at least RM500 million worth of urban railway projects in the last decade and having a rolling stock plant in Malaysia. They are also required to propose a leasing model for the trains and maintain the systems for a minimum of seven years. The CIMB report identifies some of the key bidders: Gamuda in partnership with China Railway Rolling Stock (CRRC) and Japan’s Hitachi. MMC Engineering with Hyundai Rotem and Hitachi. YTL Group with CRRC and Siemens. MRCB with Alstom. A partnership between Lion Pacific and WCT with China High Speed Rail Co and Siemens. While the systems package is estimated to cost less than RM3.5 billion, the final figure may be higher after incorporating the leasing and maintenance components. The report suggests that MRCB could emerge as a “dark horse” for the systems package, given its strong balance sheet and track record, while Gamuda is already well-positioned through its involvement in the civil works. Share this: