PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Bhd has been awarded a RM3.45bil design and build contract for the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit Metropolitan Line (Yellow Line) Civil Engineering, Package YC01 (Package YC01) in Taiwan.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Gamuda said the company was awarded the contract along with Taiwan-based company, Asia World Engineering and Construction Co (Awec), in an unincorporated joint-venture arrangement.

This marked Gamuda’s sixth infrastructure project in Taiwan.

Awec’s principal activity is general civil construction specialising in geotechnical, hydraulic, architectural and civil engineering. The company has a total equity of RM114mil.

Gamuda was appointed as the main contractor and holds a majority share of 88% while Awec has 12%. This means that Gamuda’s share of the contract value is RM3.03bil.

The group noted the project, which will span nine years, is expected to have a positive impact on its revenue and earnings for the financial year ending July 31, 2024.

The contract was awarded by the Taiwan Kaohsiung City government’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) bureau.

The project is a 4.4-km railway track located within NiaoSong District, comprising 3.5-km underground twin bored tunnels (with three underground stations) and 0.9km of elevated tracks (with one elevated station).

As part of a substantial infrastructure initiative currently underway in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the main goal of the project is to expand and improve the Kaohsiung city’s public transportation system within the NiaoSong District.

Gamuda stated the development aims to create an efficient and modern mass rapid transit system, so as to meet the ever growing demands of Kaohsiung’s urban populace.

Consisting of a 21.9km underground section and a 0.9km stretch which is elevated, with a total of 23 stations, the Yellow Line is about 22.8km.

Upon completion, the project is expected to serve 1.16 million people, improving connectivity for over 40% of the city’s total population and further enhancing services in six key districts – NiaoSong, SanMin, LingYa, XinXing, FengShan and QianZhen.

Moreover, Gamuda stated eco-friendly materials and sustainable landscaping will be incorporated into the project as part of its environmental, social and governance initiatives.

This will be done while ensuring the safety and accessibility for rural areas in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Package YC01 is Gamuda’s third railway project in Taiwan and second railway project in Kaohsiung. In 2008, the group built the Kaohsiung MRT Orange Line and in 2022, the group also secured the RM2.13bil TaoYuan City Underground Railway Project (Package CJ18 PingZhen Commuter Station) in Taipei.

Currently, Gamuda is delivering six infrastructure projects in Taiwan that include the Guantang Marine Bridge, Taipei Port Seawall and 161kV Songshu to Guanfeng Underground Transmission Line.