The contractor says closing the whole of Jalan Tun Sambanthan 2 will help to expedite works. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Stakeholders are unhappy that sewerage projects are disrupting traffic flow in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur and Hulu Kelang, Selangor.
Those living in the vicinity of Jalan Tun Sambanthan 2 and Jalan Ang Seng in Brickfields are annoyed with the disruption caused by underground sewerage pipeline and culvert works.
Resident Joseph Chelliah said the long-delayed sewerage works for the Residensi Brickfields housing project not only hindered traffic flow but created a mess too.
K. Sivakumar, who is a committee member of the Kompleks Kediamaan Pejawat Awam Residents Association, said there had been many minor accidents since the project started.
“We need more speed breakers with signs warning people of the construction work here,” he said.
Resident John Abraham said the project site was messy with mounds of construction debris.
“Jalan Tun Sambanthan 2 and the surrounding area are full of rubbish,” John said.
Jalan Ang Seng Rukun Tetangga committee member Normaizatul Aini Zawawi said the community was dealing with safety, hygiene and congestion issues because of the project’s proximity to their homes.
Representatives of the contractor and sub-contractor apologised for the delay.
“As this is a residential area, we were denied permission to use the open cut method which would have required closing the road and diverting traffic,” said a spokesperson of the sub-contractor.
He added that a sewage box culvert pipe found underground had delayed work further.
A representative from the contractor hoped the entire Jalan Tun Sambanthan 2 could be closed to expedite the project.
“We hope the public can bear with the inconvenience for a few more months,” he said.
As for the sewerage upgrading project along Jalan AU3/1 in Hulu Kelang, it has taken years to complete.
The two-lane road, which links AU3 and AU4, is dotted with traffic barriers and piling structures, causing congestion.
The barriers have also created blind spots for motorists travelling in both directions.
Furniture shop worker Sufian Mohd Darus said the project had been ongoing for years.
“We have to temporarily block the road when loading and unloading goods and this upsets motorists,” he said.
Restaurateur Suberi Abdullah said his premises was damaged because of works at the site.
He added that traffic congestion worsened during a downpour.
The owner of a tailoring shop Habedah Yusof said business had dropped because of the mess caused by construction.
“Many of my customers complained about a lack of parking space because of the traffic barriers,” she said.
Parents with children at SMK Lembah Keramat and SMK Seri Keramat said traffic on Jalan AU3/1 was bad during school drop-off and pick-up times.
When contacted, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Zone 3 councillor Anfaal Saari said the work was scheduled to be completed by March next year.
She said the project, which started in 2015 and was a collaboration between the sewerage services department under the Environment and Water Ministry, and Indah Water Konsortium, had been given three extensions so far because of funding problems and frequent change of subcontractors.
The project, she added, spanned 72sq km and included Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.
The contractor says closing the whole of Jalan Tun Sambanthan 2 will help to expedite works. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Motorists driving through a narrow Jalan AU3/1 in Hulu Kelang because of the sewerage project. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
