KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 17 contractors are bidding for the infrastructure work in the first phase of the extension jobs of the light rail transit (LRT) projects involving the Kelana Jaya and Ampang lines, said Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) group managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed.
Among the big names are Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd, IJM Construction Sdn Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering Sdn Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, Loh & Loh Corp Bhd, MRCB Engineering Sdn Bhd as well as joint ventures such as WCT-Sinohydro, Ranhill-CCCC and UEM Builders-Intria Bina.
The first phase of the LRT extension jobs will involve a total 16.6km. For the Kelana Jaya extension line, the first phase will involve 9.2km while for the Ampang line it is 7.4 km.
The main infrastructure job, which is being eyed by the 17 contractors, is called Package A while Package B involves smaller construction jobs such as building and fitting of lifts and escalators and construction of parking facilities.
A pre-bid briefing was held with the pre-qualified contractors for Package A on June 22 and a site visit will be held on June 27.
“After the site visit, the contractors will be given six weeks to submit their tender. After that we will need another three months to evaluate the proposals before it is finalised,” Idrose said yesterday.
“Construction work should start at the end of the year,” he told a press conference on the progress of the project.
Tenders for package B and other subcontract packages such as for the stations, escalators and lifts, and multi-storey car parks will be called later.
“There will be 24 subcontracts for each line under package B. The park and ride (car parks) will be open to other class A contractors who are currently not pre-qualified”, said Idrose.
Apart from infrastructure works, the LRT extension jobs have two other major components — the advance works and system works. The advance works relate to relocation of telecommunications cables, TNB cables and transmission lines, water mains and sewerage pipes and gas pipeline works.
The systems works comprise two elements, which are the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and signalling. The tender for the system works will be opened in September.
So far, SPNB has already awarded contracts for advance works worth over RM90 million to four contractors and work was expected to start in July, said Idrose.
While he declined to identify the value of the packages, he said SPNB had sufficient funds for the project and will raise another RM2 billion from its sukuk bond programme launched last September to finance the line extension project.
SPNB had raised RM2 billion earlier from issuing sukuk bonds which are guaranteed by the government. The total project cost is touted at RM7 billion.
Meanwhile, when asked about updates on the new Kota Damansara-Cheras LRT line, Idrose said SPNB was mulling the possibility of adding Sungai Buloh and Kajang stations.
He added that the company had completed its study of the new LRT alignment and will propose it to the cabinet soon, but did not identify an exact date.
Written by Kay
The Edge Malaysia
No comments:
Post a Comment