BAYAN LEPAS, October 3 — Penangites have been advised to brace for heavier traffic congestion from mid-January 2026 as major lane reductions and diversions will take place along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas to facilitate construction of the Penang LRT Mutiara Line.
A key stretch between the Jalan Kampung Jawa–Jalan Mahsuri junction and the Jalan Mayang Pasir junction will be reduced from three lanes to two for both directions, as contractors begin building the viaduct for the rail line. The diversion works are expected to last for about 38 months, with completion targeted for December 2028.
At a town hall session organised by InvestPenang today, attended by around 200 stakeholders, MRT Corp and SRS Consortium detailed the traffic management plans, which include phased lane closures, designated diversion routes, and enhanced monitoring. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari admitted congestion will be unavoidable but stressed the importance of continuous engagement and transparency to help road users plan ahead.
“The Penang LRT is a game-changer for our economy and mobility. While traffic will be challenging during construction, the long-term benefits will be worth it,” he said. The 29.5km Mutiara Line, featuring 21 stations including stops in Bayan Lepas, USM, Komtar, and Penang International Airport, is scheduled to begin operations in 2031 with an initial projected ridership of 70,000 daily.
The alignment will also connect to Penang Sentral, linking the island to the national rail network and easing congestion on major expressways. Stakeholders and the public can reach the MRT Careline at 1800-88-6782 or [email protected] for enquiries, while urgent issues may be directed to SRS Consortium’s stakeholder manager.
