By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, Oct 26: More covered walkways and pedestrian bridges have been proposed for school areas around Sibu to improve the comfort and safety of students and teachers.
According to caretaker Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, the region needs such infrastructure to cope with its tropical climate.
He said the initiative was designed to complement upcoming public transport developments, particularly the launch of 13 free electric vehicle (EV) buses scheduled to begin operations in Sibu in the first quarter of next year.
“As you know, we will soon launch the EV bus service in Sibu, with 13 free EV buses expected to begin operating in the first quarter of next year.
“The Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) and the Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS) are working together to install new bus stops at strategic locations around Sibu,” he said to reporters after inspecting a covered walkway project under the Pelawan State Constituency Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) at Sibu Vocational College today in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report.
Tiang said the concept was inspired by Singapore, which has an extensive network of covered walkways to provide public convenience in a tropical climate.
Separately, he proposed to the Sibu Public Works Department (JKR) the construction of pedestrian bridges in front of SMK Rosli Dobi and Sibu Vocational College to improve the safety of students and teachers.
He added that pedestrian bridges were also needed at several other locations, including SMK Ulu Sungai Merah and SMK Bandar Sibu along Jalan Ling Kai Cheng.
“Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah is currently being widened into a two-way road with two traffic lanes, making safe pedestrian crossing facilities essential,” he said. — DayakDaily
