‘Road upgrading works progressing well’

0

Penguang (centre) receives updates on the upgrading project at his office. From left are CMS Roads general manager Bilin Dandi, CMS Construction and Road Maintenance Division head Lim Jit Yaw, Goh and CMS Bhd group chief executive officer (corporate) Dato Isaac Lugun.

KUCHING: Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) Roads has given the assurance that those travelling along the Miri-Marudi Road during the Chinese New Year celebration next month will experience ‘as little inconvenience as possible’.

According to the contractor, upgrading works on the 43.2km stretch, which kicked off on Sept 15, 2016, should reach 41.5-per cent completion by then.

CMS Roads is compressing the subgrade and laying a stone base from the ferry end of the road, with an additional one kilometre expected to be completed by this Chinese New Year, as a way to make the journey as smooth as possible during the festive period.

On another note, CMS Roads has also announced that the whole project is currently ahead of its 30-month schedule.

The road upgrading was scheduled to reach 27.98-per cent completion as at Dec 25 last year, but it reached the 35.67-per cent completion stage – 7.69 per cent ahead of schedule.

Upon full completion, road would be of R1 standard under the Public Works Department (JKR)’s specification.

Meanwhile, CMS Roads representatives made a courtesy call on Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil on Friday, where they updated him on the project’s developments.

“I appreciate that the upgrading works are ahead of the contractual schedule, but I urge CMS Roads to do whatever is necessary to make it passable during the current rainy season, especially for those travelling back to Marudi for the Chinese New Year celebration.

“It is the only access road during this peak travel period, as air access is limited and express boat service has ceased operations,” said Penguang during the courtesy call.

On this, CMS Bhd group chief executive officer (operations) Goh Chii Bing stated: “We are pleased to report that notwithstanding the many challenges ranging from the road’s challenging geographical location in terms of getting materials in, the weather and the need to keep the road open to users as much as possible whilst works are underway, we are still well ahead of schedule, contractually.”