What were the key design changes that escalated LRT3 costs?

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Key Design Alterations Led to Substantial Escalation of LRT3 Project Costs

Persistent modifications to the original design specifications by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad were the primary driver behind the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 3 project's cost soaring to RM31.65 billion, a significant increase from its initial RM9 billion budget. These changes, documented in the Employers Requirements of tender documents, numbered at least 22 distinct issues and alterations, fundamentally reshaping the project's scope and complexity.
Modifications to Train and Station Dimensions

Several critical design adjustments directly impacted the scale of the infrastructure. The length of the trains was extended from 109 metres to 114 metres, necessitating the adoption of six-car train sets. Concurrently, the length of the stations was also increased to accommodate these longer trains, reaching 125 metres. Furthermore, the maintenance buildings within the depot and the stabling yard, where trains are parked when not in use, underwent extensions to support the modified operational requirements.
Alignment and Platform Configuration Revisions

Significant alterations also occurred concerning the project's alignment and operational layout. There were persistent changes to the proposed alignment, extending beyond the designated alignment freeze date of April 2016, which introduced further complexity and potential delays. In April 2016, Prasarana specifically requested a conceptual change from the original side platform design to island platforms, a revision that necessitated substantial redesign efforts.
Variations in Capacity and Technical Specifications

The project also experienced notable shifts in capacity requirements and technical specifications. A variation in the number of parking lots, increasing from an initial estimate of 5,000 to 6,000, had an adverse effect on the preliminary design. Moreover, a change from a four-car train set to a six-car train set meant a requirement for 50 per cent more train cars within the same manufacturing timeframe. These changes in train configuration also triggered alterations in signalling specifications, leading to the demand for a separate uninterruptible power supply room, which in turn impacted station layout designs and tender drawings.

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What were the key design changes that escalated LRT3 costs?

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