JOHOR BARU: The Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project is progressing as scheduled with 77.61 per cent work completed as of May 31.
Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) in a statement said the Wadi Hana maintenance depot in the city centre which is a key part of the railway infrastructure marked 82.14 per cent completion.
This will allow the rail system installation to be carried out by the end of the year.
While the track-level floor, architectural, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as external works, are also progressing as scheduled.
Its current progress at 71.16 per cent is bolstered by completion of U-shell beams above the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) railway tracks.
MRT Corp's focus now is on constructing the station floors.
Pier columns along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and Jalan Ismail Sultan were also installed.
Currently, over 50 per cent the guideway spans connecting the pier columns are completed, bringing the overall progress to 65 per cent.
The remaining guideway spans works are on track and will be completed by end of this year.
Meanwhile, work above sea level (marine section), all pier columns have been erected, and work is underway on the guideway spans linking them.
"This part of the project, which includes a navigation channel 75 metres wide to facilitate boat and barge passage, stands at 74.76 per cent completion.
"Full completion is expected by November 2024," the statement read.
The RTS Link is a four-kilometer light rail transit system designed to shuttle passengers between the Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Baru and the Woodlands North Station in Singapore.
With a capacity to transport 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, it is set to significantly reduce cross border traffic on the overburdened Johor-Malaysia Causeway.
The Malaysian segment of the project, managed by Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MRT Corp, encompasses the construction of the station, depot, and 2.7 kilometers of land and marine viaducts.
With all areas of construction advancing as planned, Singapore's RTS Operations Systems Pte Ltd (RTSO), the project operator, is expected to begin system installation by the end of this year.