THE progress level of the Johor Baru-Singapore rapid transit system (RTS) project is currently 17% complete, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said.

He said the construction schedule of the national project is running smoothly to ensure the RTS infrastructure is completed by December 2024.

He said although there have been several challenges, the ministry will try to ensure the bilateral project between the two countries (Malaysia and Singapore) will be accelerated so that its operations set for January 2027 can be implemented.

“I am satisfied with the work progress of the RTS project, which is at 17%. Technically, there is no issue, but just to divert the pipeline belonging to the Public Utilities Authority of Singapore,” he told reporters when making a surprise visit to the RTS project site in Bukit Chagar, Johor Baru today.

“The 900mm and 1,600mm pipeline diversion has been completed in terms of policy agreements involving the republic and will be tabled in cabinet soon.

“The ministry will ask Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) to monitor the contractor’s performance to speed up the project in keeping with the schedule.”

Wee said the contractor has been piling for the past few months, after which more workers will be brought to the site.

He said the six development project packages included the depot area, station and the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine Complex being undertaken simultaneously, which will need more workers.

“MRT Corp is ready to discuss with the Human Resources Ministry to ensure an adequate supply of workers, especially in anticipation of the entry of workers in the construction sector,” he said.

“This is among the challenges that we have to fine-tune to ensure there are no delays as this involves two countries and we have signed a bilateral agreement, and the project has to be completed by the end of 2026.”

Apart from that, he said, efforts to create alternative routes to prevent traffic congestion after the RTS project is completed are also being discussed.

Details to prepare three main entries and exits to the RTS Link from Pandan, Jalan Lingkaran Dalam and Johor Baru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway are also proposed to ensure smooth traffic flow once the project is completed.

The RTS project, which is scheduled to be ready by December 2026, is expected to be able to attract 35% of the 350,000 people who travel via the Johor Causeway daily.

Once complete, the RTS network will be able to carry 10,000 passengers per hour, thus helping to alleviate traffic congestion on highways.

The RTS Link is a 4km rail network connecting Bukit Chagar, Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore. – Bernama, June 11, 2022.