By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 21: A wash through system to clean the wheels, tyres, and underbody of heavy vehicles should be installed at all major construction sites in Sarawak so that lorries, trucks, and other vehicles do not leave the site with soil, mud, and contaminants and drag in on to public roads.
Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin emphasised this while commending China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Construction for introducing the system at the Simpang Tiga Interchange Station construction site.
The proposed Simpang Tiga Interchange Station (SR10) is part of the Red Line Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS). The project is a joint venture between Sri Datai Construction (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, JT JV Builders Sdn Bhd and CHEC Construction.
“Construction sites are often muddy (after rain), dusty, and filled with soil. So before heavy vehicles leave the site, their wheels and tyres should be washed down to remove trapped mud and debris.
“I hope this wash through system can be implemented at all major construction sites. Otherwise, heavy vehicles transporting materials to the construction site will dirty our roads,” he told a press conference when officiating the KUTS Red Line Project’s integrated project management and workforce living quarters base along New Airport Road here today.
Lee also expressed his hope that local councils and the construction sector, including housing developers, can look into implementing this effective solution for their construction sites.
Earlier, the minister visited the Simpang Tiga Interchange Station (SR10) project site, where preparation works are still ongoing.
Construction work for the RM943 million Red Line project commenced on April 1 this year, with target completion by the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Red Line, spanning 12.3 kilometres from Kuching Central to Pending with seven stations, will be integrated with the 27.6-kilometre Blue Line from Rembus to Hikmah Exchange, which has 15 stations. Together, they form Phase 1 of the KUTS project, which also includes the 30-kilometre Green Line from Pending to Damai Central with nine stations.
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Ts Mazli Mustaffa, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) general manager Datu Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir were among those present. — DayakDaily
