KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is hiring contractors to do repairs on the Ampang Light Transit Rail (LRT) line between the Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek stations.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the repair work, expected to begin early next month, would take up to seven months.
He said the structures would be strengthened first before comprehensive repairs were done.
"Investigations show that the damage to the affected structure posed serious safety risks," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here, today.
Loke also said checks found three viaduct structures and piers were cracked, believed to be caused by ground movement from a nearby construction of a 44-floor hotel.
"Referring to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) statement on Jan 27, the construction project started without any approval from the agency under the Railways Act (Railway Proctection Zone) 1998.
"This matter is serious because it has disrupted services and operations under Prasarana and affected the daily commute of the public who rely on public transport."
Loke said the ministry was mulling legal action after thorough investigations were completed.
The detailed investigation was done by engineering consultant Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd, under the supervision of a special committee comprising Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the departments of Public Works, Occupational Safety & Health and Irrigation and Drainage.
Loke said the Bandaraya and Masjid Jamek stations would be closed until experts had approved the restart of services.
Loke said the temporary feeder bus services would continue while alternative routes to the city via exchange stations such as Chan Sow Lin, Titiwangsa and Sg Besi were available for frequent users of the Ampang/Sri Petaling Line.
On Jan 28, the LRT service on the Ampang-Sri Petaling route was disrupted over safety factors after the track alignment was found to be kinked near the Bandaraya LRT Station.