The Saloma Link, a 370m pedestrian bridge connects Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3, about 100m from the underground Kampung Baru LRT station to Jalan Saloma, next to Menara Public Bank which is across the road from the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) was opened on 5 February 2020 at 2.30pm.
On foot, it normally takes more than 30 minutes to get from KLCC to Kampung Baru, and across several busy roads. With the bridge, it will take pedestrians about seven minutes to get from Jalan Saloma to Jalan Raja Muda Musa 3. About 69m of the pedestrian bridge cuts across the Ampang-KL Elevated Highway (AKLEH), adding to its uniqueness. The link was commissioned by the Kampung Bharu Development Corporation (PKB). It was built at a cost of RM31 million (S$10.4 million) with construction taking about 18 months.
Kampung Baru and the upscale Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area surrounding the Twin Towers are separated by the Klang river, and the six-lane Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh). The link offers a seamless connection between the old and new parts of Kuala Lumpur, is likely to boost visitorship of the sprawling Kampung Baru from locals and foreign tourists.
The Saloma Link will easily be the country’s most iconic pedestrian bridge, with a design that combines aesthetic appeal with natural ventilation and lighting. The bridge’s architecture is inspired by the sireh junjung (betel nut leaf arrangement) concept, which is an integral part of a Malay wedding. “The sireh junjung is among many other Malay-centric design ideas that we proposed to the client,” said Azril Amir Jaafar, principal at the Veritas Design Group, the company that designed the aesthetics of Saloma Link and was also extensively involved in the master plan for the Kampung Baru redevelopment.
The Saloma Link is probably the only facility that has a purpose-built slot along the stairways to facilitate those pushing their bicycles as they walk up the stairs on the Kampung Baru side, in addition to a lift.Over at Jalan Ampang side, a smooth ramp promises universal access to all. But the bridge will not be open round-the-clock to prevent vandalism. PKB is likely to follow the operating hours of the Kelana Jaya LRT, which ends near midnight.
More info, kindly refer to www.pkb.gov.my.