JB:Rail&CausewayDreams&Realities

[Ijud]

Khun jpatokal,

Ekekeke :D ... yes indeed 'Malaysia Boleh' with the slow motion progress ala turtle of the KL Monorail project!... but something is better than nothing. The old map that you posted is the route when Hitachi was first awarded the contract to built the monorail system but when the 1997-98 financial crisis attacked Malaysia and other Asian countries, the project was scaled down to 11 stations (the current route) and the Hitachi contract was scrapped. For now there's no current plan to expand the current route as the company is gearing up for other projects such as the Putrajaya Monorail, Penang Monorail, Jakarta Monorail and Dubai Monorail. The Johor Government is also showing interest to build a monorail system for Johor Bahru (southern tip of Malaysia near Singapore).

[Ijud]

Rotem eyes Johor train deal

SEOUL, Thurs: South Korean rolling stock company, Rotem Co, said today it was in talks with Malaysia on the sale of a magnetic-levitation (maglev) railway, in a deal that could be worth up to US$400 million (US$1 = RM3.80).

If the deal was concluded, the railway would be built in Johor, Kim Jah-hong, the vice president of unlisted Rotem, said.

“We are in talks with Malaysia to provide a 32-carriage maglev train and it is worth US$200 million to US$400 million,” Kim said by telephone.

The 15.2km railway would link metropolitan areas around Johor Baru and would have an average speed of 80km per hour, he said.

However, Kim said the Malaysian Government was still reviewing details of the proposed deal and there was no timeframe for a final agreement.

If the project went ahead, it would be the world’s second commercial magnetic railway. One in Shanghai, connecting Pudong International Airport, was constructed by a consortium involving Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp.

This type of railway carries passengers on a magnetic cushion above the tracks at speeds of up to 581km per hour, making it the world’s fastest, according to Guinness World Records.

Kim said the train planned for Malaysia would go at much slower speeds since it would be operating in a metropolitan area.

Rotem, formerly Korea Rolling Stock Corp, was formed through the merger of the rollingstock units of three South Korean conglomerates in 1999 — Hyundai, Daewoo and Hanjin Group. — Reuters

[jpatokal]

A maglev in Johor Bahru!? The mind boggles. This is like Thailand announcing that they will build a commuter maglev in Had Yai or Udon Thani or something. :eek:

But anyway, even if built (which I doubt very much), this wouldn't be even close to the world's second commercial maglev as Nagoya's Linimo (http://www.linimo.jp/) commuter maglev will be up and running next year and AFAIK there are some projects under way in Korea as well.

I seriously wonder about the economics of these commuter maglevs... what's the point if you aren't using maglev's biggest advantage, the possibility of incredible speeds?

[Ijud]

Originally posted by jpatokal
A maglev in Johor Bahru!? The mind boggles. This is like Thailand announcing that they will build a commuter maglev in Had Yai or Udon Thani or something. :eek:

But anyway, even if built (which I doubt very much), this wouldn't be even close to the world's second commercial maglev as Nagoya's Linimo (http://www.linimo.jp/) commuter maglev will be up and running next year and AFAIK there are some projects under way in Korea as well.

Haha... what's wrong with JB?? It is one of Malaysia's busiest capitals wat!? JB is really in need for modern mass transportation systems... Who cares if it's the third or fourth in the world :?... or mebbe the first in SE Asia??

Originally posted by jpatokal
I seriously wonder about the economics of these commuter maglevs... what's the point if you aren't using maglev's biggest advantage, the possibility of incredible speeds?

There must be other advantages in mind when they invented it other than speed... mebbe their rides are more smoother that conventional rail trains or less maintenance and electrical energy needed...

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by Ijud
[B]Haha... what's wrong with JB?? It is one of Malaysia's busiest capitals wat!? JB is really in need for modern mass transportation systems... Who cares if it's the third or fourth in the world :?... or mebbe the first in SE Asia??
But maglev's big disadvantage is that it's impossible to integrate with existing systems... and the big problem in JB's transportation is the lack of a decent connection to Singapore (no, 4 antique trains per day that take an hour to cover less than 20 km are not a solution). Using that $400m to build a decent Singapore-JB link, perhaps one day extended to KLIA and KL, would make a lot more sense in every way.

[Wisarut]

Well, JB Better set up suburban network as well as double trackign the existing network withotu waiting for Seremban - JB project ot become a reality ... Oh ... the rehab on the Causaway to eable KTM to run the Blue Tiger all the way to Singaproe (or Woodland if it has been shortened to that)

[Ijud]

Originally posted by jpatokal
But maglev's big disadvantage is that it's impossible to integrate with existing systems... and the big problem in JB's transportation is the lack of a decent connection to Singapore (no, 4 antique trains per day that take an hour to cover less than 20 km are not a solution). Using that $400m to build a decent Singapore-JB link, perhaps one day extended to KLIA and KL, would make a lot more sense in every way.

For me I prefer if they use the home-made monorails... a LOT cheaper and help spurs the local economy... but I don't understand what you meant by integration... is it about the track types or the station integration? even if we use the monorails and LRTs... they still can't go on the same track of KTMBs... except if they introduce the service like KTM Kommuter... that's intercity trains... as for station intergration it won't be a problem any more after the completion of JB Sentral... just like KL Sentral... it will become the Transport Hub of JB... the new CIQ and Customs Complex, Train Station, Bus Station, Taxi Station, and the interchange for the future Mass Transit system...

KTM do notice the lack of rail connection to Singapore... but even as we speak... KTM just introduced new shuttle services from JB to Singapore...

Last time SMRT even have plans to expand their MRT services to JB... but that won't be easy to accomplish...

[Ijud]

Shuttle Service Singapore - Johor Bahru To Commence October 11, 2004

KTM Berhad is pleased to announce that the shuttle service between Singapore Station at Tanjung Pagar and Johor Bahru will commence on October 11, 2004.

Two daily services will be introduced at this initial stage in order to provide alternative commuting transport between the two cities.

The services will run from Monday to Friday. The number of services will be increased later if demand increases.

Shuttle 65DN will leave Johor Bahru at 6am and is expected to arrive Singapore at 6.55am while Shuttle 68UP will leave Singapore at 7pm and will arrive in Johor Bahru at 7.55pm.

Tickets can be purchased at departing stations. Season pass is available, but advance booking does not apply for this service.

For further info please contact our Call Centre at 03-22671200.

Issued by Corporate Communications,
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad

Date October 06, 2004

[Ijud]

Originally posted by Wisarut
Well, JB Better set up suburban network as well as double trackign the existing network withotu waiting for Seremban - JB project ot become a reality ... Oh ... the rehab on the Causaway to eable KTM to run the Blue Tiger all the way to Singaproe (or Woodland if it has been shortened to that)

Yuppz... isn't that nice to see Blue Tigers running through the Causeway!... but the Government asked to halt the construction of the Crooked Bridge until both sides agree to construct a straight bridge (only waiting for Singapore's side to say go)...

Too bad Pak Lah is not as spendthrift as Dr. M... so they stopped the electrified double-tracking project... except for Rawang-Ipoh... which had started earlier... Pak Lah concentrates more on rural developement, agriculture, education, and to have a stable budget spending...

P/S: Sorry Khun Wisarut... I accidentally pressed the Edit button!

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by Ijud
For me I prefer if they use the home-made monorails... a LOT cheaper and help spurs the local economy... but I don't understand what you meant by integration... is it about the track types or the station integration? even if we use the monorails and LRTs... they still can't go on the same track of KTMBs... except if they introduce the service like KTM Kommuter... that's intercity trains...
Yes, that's what I meant. A branch line off the existing KTM track would be the easiest way to set up a working public transport network.
as for station intergration it won't be a problem any more after the completion of JB Sentral... just like KL Sentral... it will become the Transport Hub of JB... the new CIQ and Customs Complex, Train Station, Bus Station, Taxi Station, and the interchange for the future Mass Transit system...
"JB Sentral"?! This is the first time I've heard about such a thing! Do you have any more information?
KTM do notice the lack of rail connection to Singapore... but even as we speak... KTM just introduced new shuttle services from JB to Singapore...
Whee, two more trains, 55 minutes one-way. But I guess it beats nothing, and the rush hour timing is good because the trains are immune to the jams on the bridge.
Last time SMRT even have plans to expand their MRT services to JB... but that won't be easy to accomplish...
AFAIK Malaysia promised some ten years ago that they would move the KTM terminal up to Woodlands MRT in exchange for some other concession by Singapore... but obviously this hasn't happened yet.

[jpatokal]

OK, managed to find one article (partly) about JB Sentral:

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=103946&cat=st

Looks like construction is set to start Jan 1 2005 for completion in mid-2006. Where exactly is this thing going to be located? And what will happen to Larkin, Kotaraya and the current railway station?

[Ijud]

Khun Jpatokal

If you want more info about the Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu project... you can visit their website here (http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/index.html)... :)

[Ijud]

Yes indeed!! Apart from introducing monorails or maglev as mass transit system... they should also upgrade the current KTM tracks to offer services like KTM Kommuter... they can complement each other...

[jpatokal]

So that's why I couldn't find it with Google. :mad: I hate Malaysian project names, everything is called something like Projek Wawasan Gerbang Cyber Sentral Putra. (Not that Thai ones are much better thanks to the obsession to naming everything after royals.) Anyway, here's a more direct link:

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/about_jbsentral_details.html

It looks to me like all they're actually doing is building a new railway station? Only local bus service offered, so Larkin and Kotaraya will stay put. But at least they're putting in 4 platforms for future expansion. Also, is the new rail bridge going to be single or double tracked? The page below doesn't say.

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/about_railbridge_details.html

[Ijud]

Originally posted by jpatokal
So that's why I couldn't find it with Google. :mad: I hate Malaysian project names, everything is called something like Projek Wawasan Gerbang Cyber Sentral Putra. (Not that Thai ones are much better thanks to the obsession to naming everything after royals.) Anyway, here's a more direct link:

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/about_jbsentral_details.html


Well... we Malaysians have no problem with the naming at all... :)

Originally posted by jpatokal
It looks to me like all they're actually doing is building a new railway station? Only local bus service offered, so Larkin and Kotaraya will stay put. But at least they're putting in 4 platforms for future expansion. Also, is the new rail bridge going to be single or double tracked? The page below doesn't say.

http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/about_railbridge_details.html

Yes... they are building a new railway station to make way for new developements to the current railway station and CIQ complex which had been fully utilised and can't cope with the passenger and traffic movements... there will be 6 tracks passing through the stations... and double tracks to Singapore... not sure about express bus services but the proposed routes (2 lines) of the mass transit system will include the current bus stations and the airport...

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by Ijud
Yes... they are building a new railway station to make way for new developements to the current railway station and CIQ complex which had been fully utilised and can't cope with the passenger and traffic movements... there will be 6 tracks passing through the stations... and double tracks to Singapore... not sure about express bus services but the proposed routes (2 lines) of the mass transit system will include the current bus stations and the airport...
Do you have any maps of the proposed alignments? And are there serious contenders for technology other than just maglev?

[Ijud]

Originally posted by jpatokal
Do you have any maps of the proposed alignments? And are there serious contenders for technology other than just maglev?

Khun Jpatokal,

The Johor Government do give the descriptions of what the routes will gonna go but only they have it (the maps) at this time around... what I heard is that the two lines will consists:
Line 1: Tampoi to JB Sentral
Line 2: Pandan to JB Sentral

JB Sentral link to Singapore Woodlands MRT station via KTMB

MTrans is also a serious contender to become the system supplier and turnkey contractor...

- Just asking Jpatokal hope you don't mind, you seems so interested and cared about Malaysia's projects... are you a mix of Thai or Malaysian?? :)

[mrtfreak]

they would have to select a suitable route first. i think going towards Kota Tinggi or pasir Gudang. the komuter could get people from outlying areas to go to JB city. then monorail or LRTs can deliver these people to work. it is feasible. but one question, why doesn't KTM Komuter travel on bridges like the LRT in KL? it would be better like that right? i mean, don't need to take up land on the ground.

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by Ijud
Just asking Jpatokal hope you don't mind, you seems so interested and cared about Malaysia's projects... are you a mix of Thai or Malaysian?? :)
I'm employed by a company in Singapore, working in Thailand and visit Malaysia a lot for both work and leisure, so I'm interested in developments in all three :D

[Ijud]

Originally posted by mrtfreak
they would have to select a suitable route first. i think going towards Kota Tinggi or pasir Gudang. the komuter could get people from outlying areas to go to JB city. then monorail or LRTs can deliver these people to work. it is feasible. but one question, why doesn't KTM Komuter travel on bridges like the LRT in KL? it would be better like that right? i mean, don't need to take up land on the ground.

- Yuppz... they can work as a feeder for each other...

- Owh... you mean elevated track... it would be much more expensive that way arr...

[Ijud]

Originally posted by jpatokal
I'm employed by a company in Singapore, working in Thailand and visit Malaysia a lot for both work and leisure, so I'm interested in developments in all three :D

So you are a frequent travellor of Malaysia and Singapore... that's great!!

[mrtfreak]

Originally posted by Ijud
- Yuppz... they can work as a feeder for each other...

- Owh... you mean elevated track... it would be much more expensive that way arr...
elevated tracks would free up more land. i'm sure if they plan the routes properly they would be able to cover costs. so, for example, if they want to double track the current line, but there's not enough space, they could elevete the track cause the supporting pillars would take up less space than the actual gangway. i think not only JB should have commuter service, but all states. then link them up by new electrified trains that could be called intercity express trains. these could replace the old railways cars and provide a more efficient network. for charm, they could still use the old trains on certain times.

[mrtfreak]

i heard that the developers of the maglev system are considering talking to malaysian and singaporean authorities into constructing a maglev line that would link the two cities (singapore and kuala lumpur) in 1 hour.

[jpatokal]

I'm afraid it'll be a cold day in hell before this becomes reality. I'd be happy if they could even sort out the wrinkles from the existing KTMB service, and ecstatic if they extended the KLIA line (160 km/h) to JB & Sing as originally planned...

[mrtfreak]

I'm afraid it'll be a cold day in hell before this becomes reality. I'd be happy if they could even sort out the wrinkles from the existing KTMB service, and ecstatic if they extended the KLIA line (160 km/h) to JB & Sing as originally planned...
originally planned? i don't think so. my uncle worked on the ERL project and he said not in the near future that they are going to extend the ERL line. guess not in the near future either for maglev. my parents said that the NS highway will go bust!

[jpatokal]

The GSB project is slowly but steadily plodding forward, although the crucial bit -- the rebuilding of the Causeway -- doesn't seem to have even started yet.

Here's the fairly informative website of main contractor Gerbang Perdana: http://www.gerbangperdana.com.my/. Particularly interesting are the monthly work in progress (http://gsb.jkr.gov.my/en/about_project_progress.html) photo galleries.

[mrtfreak]

what does JB Sentral compromise actually? The JB KTM station (i guess ala KL Sentral), the customs, and retail? Anyway, thank goodness for new CIQ! That is a very much needed new thing. Heck the causeway, if they have a new CIQ that would be better.

But, the causeway is an eyesore if you ask me. Lol.

[jpatokal]

what does JB Sentral compromise actually? The JB KTM station (i guess ala KL Sentral), the customs, and retail?
Yup. Check out the friendly site :p

Anyway, thank goodness for new CIQ! That is a very much needed new thing. Heck the causeway, if they have a new CIQ that would be better.
The current CIQ is a dump, but at least they're pretty fast most of the time. On my last couple of visits to JB the Malaysian immigration has been fairly smooth, it's the Singaporean CIQ which jams up the entire Causeway... :mad:

[mrtfreak]

Yup. Check out the friendly site :p


The current CIQ is a dump, but at least they're pretty fast most of the time. On my last couple of visits to JB the Malaysian immigration has been fairly smooth, it's the Singaporean CIQ which jams up the entire Causeway... :mad:
ah, okay. friendly site?

i dunno, i avoid the causeway mostly. i take buses to malaysia. ;) ah, singapore which screams "efficient". what an irony. *rolls eyes*

[jpatokal]

Well, enough happens for the Star to print this story (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/4/5/nation/13857834&sec=nation), complete with somewhat informative map.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the government was currently studying two proposals on the matter.

“We've been planning the project for a long time but couldn't implement it without the Federal Government's nod and financial backing,” he said in an interview here.

“The first hurdle involving funding has been overcome. The next step is the implementation.”
:(

[jpatokal]

The Star (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/6/1/nation/20060601160350&sec=nation):
Two local companies with foreign partnerships have expressed interest in the state monorail system project estimated to cost more than RM1bil. ...
“We hope that we will be able to firm up the details and design by end of this year or early next year,” Abdul Ghani told reporters after launching a seminar here on Thursday.

He added the project should be completed in three years time (2009).

The monorail is expected to ferry passengers from the heart of the city to Tebrau, Senai, Skudai and Nusajaya – densely populated areas where people need public transportation.

Sigh. It would be infinitely smarter and cheap to just double-track the KTM rails (which already pass through the heart of the city and Senai) and maybe built a extra track or two, but no, monorails are sexier and more "Malaysian"...

[yapcl90]

oh....what a good news to JB people:rolleyes: :cool:

[Ijud]

The Star: 9/8/2006

JOHOR BARU: A Dubai-based investor is among several potential foreign investors expected to finance 80% of the RM1.3bil Johor monorail project which is set to begin operations within the next three years.

The balance will be sourced from the shareholders of Johor-based Jalur Mudra Sdn Bhd, a special purpose vehicle created to build and operate the monorail under the private financing initiative of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

The 80% is expected to be raised through the issuance of hybrid private debt securities bonds, which will have a 20-year maturity period.

It is learnt that the foreign investors gave their undertaking to participate in the project about two months ago.

Jalur Mudra has since engaged a consultant to advise on corporate matters, especially on the bond issuance.

Chairman Datuk Mohd Rashidi Mohd Noor, who declined to name the investors, said in a press briefing that the company had sufficient funds for the first phase of the project – a 12.5km elevated line along Jalan Tebrau.

“We anticipate return on investment in about 10 years,” he said, adding that this was relatively good for an investment in a railway system.

Similar to the KL monorail project where all the structures are elevated, the project will have eight stations between Johor Sentral, located next to the causeway, and Aeon Jusco near the Pandan Hospital.

“This project will be a catalyst to promote growth along the Tebrau corridor through the appreciation of real estate,” Rashidi said, adding that the monorail project was part of the Johor Baru Masterplan, which included plans for three light rail transit systems, two mass railway transit systems and a monorail.

Rashidi said the monorail project was a local initiative and would include a maximum 30% participation by the state government through Yayasan Pelajaran Johor (YPJ) or Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

“It is still not finalised whether it’s going to be YPJ or MBJB.

“Although the state has a stake in the project, it may not have to fork out any money,” he said, adding that they hoped to finalise details, including soil tests and environmental impact assessment soon.

Rashidi said under the agreement with Beijing Enterprise Holdings, a Chinese government subsidiary which funded a 10-year test by China’s National Defence University on magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology, Jalur Mudra had exclusive rights to develop and pattern both the urban and high-speed Maglev trains.

“This means we can also bid for the bullet train project linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as our trains can easily touch 500km per hour,” he said, adding that all it needed was to build the elevated glideways or rail on the divider along the North-South Highway.

Rashidi also said Jalur Mudra’s proposal would cost about RM100mil for each kilometre, which would be much cheaper than other rail projects.

Asked why the relatively new technology was used instead of other systems from Germany or Japan which had a proven track record, he said cost was an important factor.

“Anyway, this technology was created by China’s National Defence University for the government and military based on almost 10 years of trials.

“They have just started commercialising the technology and we managed to acquire it at an attractive price,” he said, adding that quality would be assured, as the Chinese would be held responsible for any failure.

Rashidi said although Johor Baru would be the first city in South-East Asia to use this technology, Maglev trains were already operational in Shanghai for the past three years.

Jalur Mudra expects the Johor monorail to ferry some 98,000 passengers daily with tickets priced between RM1.50 and RM2.60 for the 13-minute ride between Johor Sentral and Aeon Jusco.

[jpatokal]

From the Business Times (http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Tuesday/Frontpage/BT598594.txt/Article/):

SINGAPORE'S public transport operator, SMRT Corp, is keen to participate in the Johor Baru Monorail project, which is an integral part of the logistics hub being developed in south Johor. ...

He said that one possibility being explored was for JM to operate together with SMRT a line linking Johor Baru to either Woodlands, Keranji or Bukit Timah in Singapore.

"This could either be a joint venture or separate arrangement under a subsidiary company. Our priority is to link all important localities, including Singapore," he added. ...

Rashidi said the monorail would initially serve a 13.5km stretch from JB Sentral in the heart of the city to AEON Tebrau City along the Tebrau highway, which has been identified as the most critical passenger logistics corridor.

Another 50km of lines will be added subsequently to serve the Skudai corridor up to the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia campus.

A circle single track is also on the cards to serve traffic around the central business district of Johor Baru.

As ever, connecting to Singapore's MRT would be an obvious way to get huge ridership, but politically difficult. Let's hope they figure out a way to make it happen, but I'm not holding my breath...

[jpatokal]

A more detailed story from CNA (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/245550/1/.html), which seems to think the political bits are doable:
A deal between SMRT Corporation and Johor transport construction company Jalur Mudra Sdn Bhd (JM) - which will build the Johor monorail - could be clinched within the "next couple of months", JM's executive director Nebojsa Novakovic told TODAY. ...

Among the issues that need to be ironed out will be the customs and immigrations procedures - all-seater trains have been suggested to simplify matters - as well as the structure of the deal itself.

SMRT has already submitted a letter of intent to JM, indicating that it is keen to be part of the project.

There have been no political roadblocks so far. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had recently remarked on the "mixed signals" coming out of Johor over Singapore's participation in its mega development project.

"JM has informed the Johor State Government of SMRT's proposal and there has been no objection so far," said Mr Novakovic.

Nor will the past disputes between Singapore and Malaysia over the Causeway and a proposed bridge stand in the way, he indicated.

[jpatokal]

And entirely predictable frothing at the mouth (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Monday/National/20061211092021/Article/local1_html), courtesy of (surprise surprise) UMNO Johor:
Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said the republic did not have any track record in building a monorail and it was only justified to award the project to Malaysian companies.

"Why should we allow an outsider to teach us something that we are better at?" he said at an anti-drug campaign at Kampung Melayu Majidee.

"We welcome foreigners to invest in the Iskandar Development Region and other ventures. When locals have the expertise in certain fields, why should we look for foreigners?" he asked.

He also said the monorail project should be owned by locals and not Singaporeans.
Of course, he fails to realize that Malaysians also have precisely zero experience with the technology in question:
The JB Monorail will be unique in that it will be based on the "maglev", or magnetic levitation technology. This is an advanced technology in which magnetic forces lift, propel and guide the trains over an elevated guideway.
...and that SMRT certainly knows a thing or two about running public transport systems.

[jpatokal]

Looks like construction is set to start Jan 1 2005 for completion in mid-2006.
Snort. Just went to JB today, and while the main CIQ building (for road traffic) seems kinda ready from the outside, the new train station and the ramps for shuttling around traffic are just construction sites, and not very advanced-looking ones at that. At least another year to go, probably more...

[GWR]

2008/08/16
Johor ready for bridge revival
By : Siti Nurbaiyah Nadzmi

JOHOR BARU: The state government has made preparations if the Johor Baru-Singapore bridge project is revived in the future.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the on-going construction of the semi-permanent access road to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Bukit Chagar was in anticipation of the bridge project.

The access road, which links the causeway to the complex and other parts of the city, is for light and heavy vehicles.

It will be ready by June next year.

Ghani said the cost of the proposed highway to link the causeway to the new CIQ complex was too expensive.
The cost was almost equivalent to building the bridge itself.

Subsequently the state government was told to come up with an alternative route.

"We were told that the route must be accessible, cost-effective and with an amendable design.

"If we need to build a bridge in the future, the access road can be easily amended."

Ghani explained that the structure of the semi-permanent access road was designed to fit into future developments without destroying the entire structure and rebuilding a new one.

The road is a three-tier interchange connecting the CIQ complex to JB Sentral, which is the city's railway and public transit hub.

It disperses traffic emerging from the CIQ Complex to other destinations through the JB Inner Ring Road and Jalan Stulang Darat.

The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion in Johor Baru, mainly in the central business district.

The CIQ complex, identified as the most important southern gateway, would be the busiest land entry and exit point in the country with more than 135,000 vehicles passing through it daily.

When asked if businesses in the city centre would suffer from lesser traffic flow, Ghani said there was no cause for concern because the semi-permanent access road would ease traffic out of the city and at the same time, allow people to re-enter the city.

Earlier, Ghani opened the new office of Iskandar Investment Berhad, an investment arm for Iskandar Malaysia here yesterday.

Also present was the company's managing director, Arlida Ariff.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2322719/Article/index_html

[GWR]

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2322719/Article/index_html

I'm sort of hoping our Singapore posters will be able to interpret these last two posts in this thread. I have noted a tendency for JB reports to be almost unintelligible to outsiders. Is a JB-Singapore Bridge really a possibility?:

Project will 'block Johor Straits'
By : Satiman Jamin

JOHOR BARU: Residents of Kampung Mohd Amin here are questioning the rationale of continuing with the Lido Boulevard project when the scenic bridge project may be revived.

The century-old village will be affected as it is situated opposite the stretch of Lido Beach which is the proposed project site.

Lido Boulevard, a high end residential and commercial project, will be built on a reclaimed stretch of the Johor Straits, with reclamation work due to start next month, leaving just 50m of waterway on some stretches.

Kampung Mohd Amin Umno youth chief Saiful Adli Jamian, 38, said the Lido Boulevard development would negate the benefits of a bridge as there would no longer be a waterway.

He said the most important impact of a bridge, strategically and environmentally, would not be realised with the Lido Boulevard blocking the Johor Straits.

"If the Lido Boulevard project is allowed to proceed next month, it will only strengthen Singapore strategically.

"Vessels passing by the Johor Straits will have to enter Singapore's water."

Saiful said the Lido Boulevard project should be reconsidered due to many factors, including the impact on the environment, local community and future developments, especially if the government anticipated that the bridge project would be revived.

"If the project is to proceed, they might as well extend the reclamation works of Lido Boulevard and create a second causeway to Singapore because Malaysian territorial waters will not be there anymore."

He said extending the Lido Boulevard project to Singapore would create a 2.4km-wide causeway, a cost-saving alternative to the bridge with the same environmental and strategic costs to Malaysia.

Saiful said the loss of Pedra Branca to Singapore on May 23 should have made the government more alert in safeguarding Malaysia's interests when making decisions which involved the republic.

"A bridge built after Lido Boulevard will mean Singapore controlling the waterways and shipping in the area, with Johor having voluntarily discarded the Johor Straits by dumping millions of tonnes of sands to build luxury condominiums," he said.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said on Friday that the state government had made preparations to accommodate the construction of the Johor Baru-Singapore bridge if the project was revived.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2324284/Article/index_html

[jpatokal]

I'm sort of hoping our Singapore posters will be able to interpret these last two posts in this thread. I have noted a tendency for JB reports to be almost unintelligible to outsiders. Is a JB-Singapore Bridge really a possibility?
At least this Singapore poster has pretty much stopped paying attention. Singapore opposes building a bridge, and the Malaysians, instead of being willing to offer enough sweeteners to Sg to make them change their minds (say, finally allowing military flights in Malaysian airspace or sorting out the piped water from Johor issue), prefer to spend their time politicking and ranting incoherently:

Saiful said the loss of Pedra Branca to Singapore on May 23 should have made the government more alert in safeguarding Malaysia's interests when making decisions which involved the republic.

"A bridge built after Lido Boulevard will mean Singapore controlling the waterways and shipping in the area, with Johor having voluntarily discarded the Johor Straits by dumping millions of tonnes of sands to build luxury condominiums," he said.

:confused::(:mad:

It's a real shame, as Singapore-JB connectivity desperately needs improvement and halfway decent rail link between the two would be a guaranteed hit, but I just don't see it happening. (At least until UMNO gets kicked out, which may not be that far away...!)

[GWR]

At least this Singapore poster has pretty much stopped paying attention. Singapore opposes building a bridge, and the Malaysians, instead of being willing to offer enough sweeteners to Sg to make them change their minds (say, finally allowing military flights in Malaysian airspace or sorting out the piped water from Johor issue), prefer to spend their time politicking and ranting incoherently:
:confused::(:mad:
It's a real shame, as Singapore-JB connectivity desperately needs improvement and halfway decent rail link between the two would be a guaranteed hit, but I just don't see it happening. (At least until UMNO gets kicked out, which may not be that far away...!)

Thursday August 21, 2008
Plan for scenic bridge will go on if need arises
By ZAZALI MUSA

JOHOR BARU: The scenic bridge project may be revived if the need arises in the future.

Johor Mentri Besar said the Federal Government has not totally scrapped the project although no time frame was given when it would take place.

He said the semi-permanent access leading to the new Johor Baru Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex was built it such a way to accommodate the bridge.
Good luck: Ghani signing a photo at the opening of the new office.

“One day, if we decided to do the bridge again, it can easily be connected to the CIQ,” Ghani told reporters at the opening of Iskandar Investment Bhd new office in Danga Bay recently.

He said there was no need to demolish the semi-permanent access to the CIQ for the new bridge as the former could be easily interfaced with the bridge.

Ghani said one unique feature of the semi-permanent access which would be opened for use in mid-2009 that it was built elevated.

He said the semi-permanent access would allow better accessibility and smooth drive for motorists and vehicles from the new CIQ to the city centre.

Ghani said although they have to pass the Inner Ring Road and make a detour to the city centre, it should not be problem as it was just a stone’s throw away.

“The current traffic congestion near the causeway will be a thing of the past when the new CIQ opens by the end of the year,” he said.

..........
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/8/21/southneast/1849229&sec=southneast

[jpatokal]

So, let me try to fill in the background here...

Currently, Singapore and JB are linked by the Causeway dating to colonial days, which is made from solid earth and thus blocks the passage of ships through the Johor Strait.

Malaysia wants to replace the entire causeway with a bridge, so ships could pass through the Strait and use its Port of Tanjung Pelepas instead of docking in Singapore. And in order to stop this from happening, Singapore opposes the bridge.

But as it turns out, half the current causeway is in Malaysian territory, the other half in Singapore. So, some bright engineers in Malaysia came up with a "curved" bridge design that uses only the Malaysian half, and that Singapore thus could not technically stop. But because "curved" or "kinked" bridge doesn't sound very nice, some bright PR guy came up with the name "scenic bridge" instead...!

But the scenic/curved bridge would be expensive to build, have limited capacity (because it would still be throttled by the width of the existing causeway), and Singapore isn't buying Malaysia's right to built it alone either, because their treaty says that any "significant" changes in the Straits needs both sides' agreement. Mahathir was all for building the curved bridge, but nobody else seems very keen on it, and that's why it's been in limbo for years now.