Be On Top - Build It Underground

Here's an opinion piece written by Mr. Johnny Soon of Mutiara Damansara Owners and Residents Association (MUDORA) originally posted in The Star. 


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Tuesday, 15th February 2011

I AM pleased that an MRT line has been proposed along Persiaran Surian to serve the huge community and residential and commercial activities in Sunway Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama and TTDI, and the fringe areas surrounding these popular destinations.

But the MRT Line running through Persiaran Surian is planned to be built above ground instead of underground, which is preferred by residents in these locations.

These are advantages to siting the MRT line and stations underground:

> Noise pollution from moving trains is cut off, resulting in a cleaner environment and enhanced aesthetic value of surrounding areas without the unsightly pillars and beams. Many unsightly stations are found in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya serviced by the LRT and monorail running overhead.

> There is flexibility of land use for future expansion of infrastructure, namely, highways, roads, bridges, flyovers, buildings, especially in Kota Damansara.

> There is better and proper management of surface traffic to complement pick-up and ride stations and pedestrian pathways.

> Combining the Mutiara Damansara and Bandar Utama stations into one mega station below the present driving range, linked by passage ways to Curve/Ikano and One Utama, will provide protection from inclement weather. Having one station at this location will provide better management of facilities, as land is available for feeder buses, taxis and coaches.

> Having one station provides a good alternative for revellers to use the MRT instead of cars, especially during mega sales by shopping malls and during seasonal festivities.

> As the Curve, Ikano/Ikea, Tesco and One Utama have been earmarked for an International Tourism Zone by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), an underground station will complement this development. This will enhance the value of surrounding properties and project an iconic image for Petaling Jaya and Malaysia in general.

> Both sides of Persiaran Surian is already built up, with residential houses, apartments, condominiums, shops and mega shopping malls. This road is too narrow to accommodate an elevated MRT line and stations with twin tracks. The overhead tracks will be too close to the existing houses.

> The existing roads can hardly cope with daily traffic, and beams and pillars will result in narrower vehicle lanes. Land is no longer available for road widening near Persiaran Surian tunnel let alone pathways for pedestrians thereby endangering the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

> There is lack of provision for a pick up/drop off point at Persiaran Surian near the proposed station at Surian Tower. The existing narrow road will be further constricted as motorists will park their cars or wait to pick up passengers. Taman Bahagia and Kelana Jaya LRT stations are good examples of motorists disregarding the “No Waiting” signs.

Therefore, it makes good sense to relocate Mutiara Damansara station nearer to the golf driving range, combining it with One Utama.

There will be less disruption to surface traffic during construction if the MRT station and line is below ground. Imagine the loss in productivity in spending more time on the road besides the stress should the line be built above ground.

Besides, the residents near the MRT lines will be greatly affected by noise and other pollution during above ground construction.

To read the original article - CLICK HERE