Cooperate to hasten road upgrading work, utility companies and contractors told
MIRI: Land and Air Transportation Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin yesterday asked utility companies to cooperate with the contractor in relocating their service lines to speed up the upgrading work at Jalan Tudan.
The RM4.2 million upgrading is expected for completion by August next year.
“I hope the work will be completed on schedule or early because of the acute congestion of the road particularly in front of Tudan Policlinic, especially during peak hours,” Lee said after a site inspection.
Accompanying Lee on the inspection were Public Works Department (JKR) Miri regional manager for northern Sarawak, Talib Bujang Masli; officers from utility companies Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Northern Region Water Board ( LAKU), Sarawak Gas and Telekom Malaysia; and the project contractor.
Lee expects work to be completed on or ahead of schedule if the relocation of overhead cable poles and construction of additional parking lots in front of Tudan Policlinic were carried out soon.
“I would like all utility companies to work together and cooperate with the contractor in relocating their service lines along the road. Laku, Sarawak Gas and Telekom are in the midst of relocating their service lines,” Lee informed the press.
SEB is to relocate 56 overhead cable poles to facilitate the road upgrading work, and to reduce power interruption in the area.
During the inspection, Lee was also briefed by the contractor on construction of 30 parking lots in front of Tudan Policlinic to be carried out this Sunday and due for completion in two months’ time.
“The section in front of the clinic will be given priority due to acute road congestion from insufficient parking space. Those going to the clinic would park their vehicles along the main road. This illegal parking not only slows down traffic but endangers road users,” he added.
Lee was told by the contractor that they would fill up the drain in front of the clinic’s fence before constructing additional parking lots.
“After completion of the parking lots, we hope there will be no delay in upgrading Jalan Tudan into a dual carriageway,” he added.