Sembulan River beautification project progressing well

The RM45 million project to beautify the Sembulan River in the state capital is progressing well despite minor delay in the first of the three-part parcels. The delayed phase one costing RM24 million was currently at 90 per cent completion as of December 31 with the contractor expecting to fully complete and hand over the project to the City Hall by March or earlier.

The main contractor, Architect Shim Sie Hong, said all building works, comprising two power substations, three cover bin centres, police kios, two ticketing booths and other public amenities, were all fully completed.

“Only a few floor lights and special LED lighting and the boardwalk steps are currently in progress. All lighting installations will be completed by the end of January and the testing and commissioning will be carried out the following month,” he said.

He added the landscaping works were also 90 per cent completed while the riverside boardwalk paving, timber deck and road paver were almost fully completed.

The phase one was initially scheduled for completion on November 17 last year but extension was granted due to traffic and business operation on site and unforeseen underground infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir who visited the project site yesterday, said he was happy with the current progress and the second and third parts were expected to be called for tenders between April and May.

The whole project is scheduled for completion early next year.

Abidin said the City Hall was also studying options for treating the smelly river water and had proposed relocation schemes for the villagers along the river.

The relocation has yet to be finalised but some of the families have agreed to move, he said.

Source: Borneo Post