KUCHING: CMS Roads Sdn Bhd said its upgrading of the 43.2km road connecting Miri to Marudi is progressing ahead of schedule.
In a statement yesterday, CMS Roads said the 30-month project commenced on Sep 15, 2016.
It said in view of the extensive public interest in the upgrading of the road link due to its unsatisfactory condition and growing importance, CMS Roads volunteered in March to provide regular updates on the project’s progress.
“We are pleased to report that notwithstanding the many challenges ranging from the road’s remote location in terms of getting materials in, weather, crop compensation issues and the need to keep the road open to users as much as possible whilst works are underway, we remain ahead of schedule,” said CMS Roads Sdn Bhd director Datuk Richard Curtis during a site inspection by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing.
Curtis said the company would look closely at the different types of vehicles accessing the road and their impact on the road’s development and upgrading.
“We are confident that our promise to have 16km fully sealed and driveable in time for this year’s Baram Regatta in August 2017 will be exceeded. Our ability to also mobilise our Cold-in-Place-Recycling Machine has enabled us to recycle existing road materials so as to strengthen the road’s sub-base and to speed up the works.”
As at June 20, the status updates are: 0.0km to 8.34km – road base laid and premix surfacing completed; 8.34km to 14.6km – road base laid; 15.925km to 16.5km – 30 per cent of site clearing; 24.3km to 25.4km – 100 per cent of site clearing and 97 per cent of earthworks completed; 30.1km to 30.65km – 100 per cent of site clearing and 98 per cent of earthworks completed; 31.3km to 43.2km (flat area) – 90 per cent of drainage clearing completed; 14.6km to 42.3km – all untouched sections are being maintained as gravel roads by the Public Works Department.
CMS Roads’ next planned update on this project is scheduled for late September.