Wong (left) inspects the eroded road at Lebaan with (from second left) Ting, Yong, Pau (third right) and others.
SIBU: The upgrading of 13 state roads here that costs about RM12.8 million will be completed in six to eight months’ time, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh told a press conference yesterday.
He said Sibu was susceptible to sinking due to the nature of its soil.
“All these roads in fact have been upgraded several times such as Ling Chu Ming Road.
“From time to time, they sink and we upgrade by topping up or repairing,” informed Wong who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development.
Pulau Dudong is one of 13 road upgrading projects.
He recalled that low-lying Kong Yit Khim Road had been raised several times already – each time it got flooded.
Numerous roads under Sibu Municipal Council’s area of jurisdiction need upgrading.
“I think they (SMC) are bidding for funds to upgrade another 100 roads. They have upgraded many roads in residential areas and are going to do more.
“By end of the year, we aim for most residential roads in Sibu area to be resurfaced,” he said.
The 13 state roads to be upgraded are Salim New Airport Link Road, Ling Chu, Salim traffic light junction, Teku Pasai Siong, Sg Assan, Teluk Assan, Kemuyang, Kong Yit Khim, Pulau Dudong, Aup Rantau Panjang, Sibu Ulu Oya Road, Batang Igan Access Road and Sg Maaw Road.
Wong inspected roads on the West Bank accompanied by Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Pau Kiew Chuan; Public Works Department divisional engineer Tiong King Wei and technician Yong Sin Ho.
They included the completed 1.6km Mawah Road – the funds for which he had sourced following a request by Kapitan Ting Liang Hui and other leaders.
At Lebaan, a long stretch of road had been eroded by the river.
He said a section of Sungai Maaw main road had been dredged to drain the land but residents say this is not enough, so another culvert would need to be installed.
Earlier, Wong inspected the upgraded Bukit Igu Road, stretching some 300m. He also inspected the culvert at Yu Chai Toh Road.