‘Ring-shaped’ sky bridge proposed for Luyang
KOTA KINABALU: A ‘ringshaped' sky bridge has been proposed for Luyang during a meeting between its assemblyman and PAM Sabah Chapter.
Phoong Jin Zhe met with architects from the Walkability Conmittee of PAM Sabah Chapter led by Ar Michael Chong Kiam Kong, to discuss the future development of Luyang.
The DAP elected representative emphasized the importance of accessibility and walkability in the surrounding vicinity.
Phoong stressed that as his consituency is made up of more than 50% of elderly citizens who often patronise Foh Sang and Bornion, and given that increasingly there is lack of parking spaces, it is vital to ensure that the area is safe and convenient to be accessed on foot. PAM Sabah proposed construction of the ‘ring-shaped' sky bridge at the centre of the Foh Sang junction connecting Damai Plaza, Foh Sang and Bornion.
In 2016, the architects carried out a walkability survey within a kilometre radius with Foh Sang as the centre and found that there is an urgency to upgrade the existing pedestrian walkways within the kilometre-wide area.
Some proposals that were brought up include guard rails and bollards to protect the pedestrians and prevent cars from parking onto the sidewalks.
Also, the need to improve the pedestrian crossing junctions, upgrade the existing walkway pavings as well as installing proper shelf along the walkways.
“These public facilities will increase the accessibility and walkability of Foh Sang area which comes under the larger plan to make Luyang into a more livable city. The need to upgrade the current infrastructural facilities, especially in Luyang is not a luxury but a necessity,” he said.
Phoong who is also DAP Sabah Publicity Secretary, has been very vocal about building a reliable public transportation system in Kota Kinabalu, as well as pursuing a better urban planning for the city with all the pedestrian facilities should be made easily and conveniently accessible for the handicapped and aged citizens.
He has also mentioned about upgrading park facilities in Luyang as one of his main agendas as local representative for the next five years.