If you live around Sungai Dua, Batu Uban or use Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah at night, Penang's Mutiara Line works are now on your route until the end of November.
MRT Corp said periodic partial lane closures on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in George Town will run from 1 October to 30 November 2026, between 10pm and 5am, to allow tree-cutting and relocation works for the Mutiara Line LRT project, according to Malay Mail/Bernama.
The affected stretch runs from the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal area to the Batu Uban Road Transport Department office. MRT Corp said the leftmost lane between Lorong Sungai Dua 1 and the Batu Uban RTD office towards Komtar will be affected, along with the rightmost lane between the same points in both directions. The leftmost lane after the Sunny Point traffic-light junction up to Persiaran Batu Uban, towards Bayan Lepas, is also included. Other lanes are to remain open.
This is the sort of disruption buyers and tenants often feel before they see the rail benefit. It does not change the fundamentals of the corridor overnight, but it does change the daily routine for anyone viewing, renting or managing property near Sungai Dua, USM, Batu Uban and the Bayan Lepas approach.
MBPP is also tightening how contractors work around the line. George Town Lord Mayor and MBPP president Datuk Anthony Rajendran said contractors on commercial stretches with heavy traffic have been directed to carry out major works from 11pm to 6am, while works in housing estate localities may proceed during office hours, The Vibes reported.
The wider Mutiara Line is Penang's first LRT system. The Vibes reported the line as approximately 29.5km, with 21 to 22 stations linking Silicon Island, the international airport in Bayan Lepas, Komtar and Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
- For night drivers: expect closures between 10pm and 5am on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah until 30 November.
- For nearby residents: daytime works may still occur in housing estate areas, depending on the location.
- For viewings and handovers: allow extra travel time around Sungai Nibong, Batu Uban and the USM side of the corridor.
Sources: Malay Mail/Bernama, The Vibes.
