Rawang bypass project delayed by about 6 years

THE construction of the Rawang bypass at Bandar Rawang was delayed for 2,132 days (close to six years) due to work procedures and processes of third parties which were beyond the control of the Public Works Department.

Auditor-General Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad (pix) said the project, which was approved under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP), was aimed at solving the traffic congestion in Bandar Rawang and improving the existing road network to Kuala Lumpur.

“The project, which involves the upgrading of 10.72km of existing roads and the construction of a new four-lane dual carriageway for 12.58km, started on July 16, 2005 and was expected to be completed by Jan 12, 2008 at an initial cost of RM203.47 million.

“However, several supplemental agreements were signed, including special provisions for changes in the price of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering works, construction of an alternative 3.3km road through Taman Warisan Negri Selangor and upgrading works of 1.57km of existing federal roads.

“This extended the project from Dec 15, 2011 until April 17, 2015 for an additional cost of RM390 million,” the report stated.

While an audit conducted between October and December 2016 revealed that the project was well managed in terms of contract administration and quality of works, she said six Extensions of Time (EOT) for 2,132 days were approved with the new completion date set for March 16, this year.

The report added design changes for overlapping routes between elevated structures under this project and the Assam Jawa Taman Rimba Highway resulted in an additional cost of RM34.2 million.

As such, she recommended that the Land Unit of the Public Works Department should report progress payments for each land acquisition as an agenda in the management or other related meetings.