THE construction of a new river crossing bridge here in Sungai Ara is set to kickstart after the Chinese New Year holidays, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Zin confirmed today.
Acting as the immediate access for several households located within the Sungai Ara vicinity, the existing bridge will be demolished to make way for the construction of the new one.
Sim, during the announcement ceremony earlier, said the new bridge will be built differently and creatively to serve not only as an access to the market, but as an attraction for tourists from afar and near.
“We have planned to not make this bridge look like a very normal one that you will find elsewhere, but to design it big, iconic and beautiful.
“The Linear Park here is a popular ground that acts as a recreational space for the residents here.
“Therefore, it is important we make this place look even more attractive and appealing with the construction of the new river crossing bridge,” Sim said in his speech during the ceremony earlier at the Sungai Ara Linear Park in Bayan Lepas.
The other catch about this new bridge is that the design will be based on the preference of the residents here.
Earlier, several staff members from Sim’s office were seen distributing voting papers to the people to enable them to choose the design of their choice.
BYG Architecture, an architecture firm in George Town, will be responsible for materialising this project.
Meanwhile, according to Sim, the expected cost to cover design works is RM270,000, which will be channelled from his office allocation.
“Construction works will commence after the Chinese New Year holidays, and it is expected to be completed in two months,” Sim added.
Other expenses, apart from the design works, will follow suit and be announced in near future.
While residents will be required to walk a little further than usual to the market until the project is completed, Sim apologised for the inconvenience that will be caused, temporarily.
It is learnt that the construction of the new river crossing bridge falls under Phase One of several other initiatives in the pipeline in the Sungai Area area.
“Residents can also expect a market makeover here as we are planning to incorporate some interesting elements to turn this place into a tourist attraction spot.
“For example, we want to encourage more local traders to set up their businesses here, not limiting to household or wet items only.
“Talks are currently ongoing with the architecture company,” Sim said.
The guest of honour earlier was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who visited the Sungai Ara Linear Park as part of his Jelajah LovePENANG 2.0 programme.
During his speech, Chow backed Sim and Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik to keep up with their good work of implementing initiatives for the benefit of the people.
“It is hoped the people here will take this opportunity to choose the design they most prefer and may it benefit them in the long-term to get across to the market using an attractively-designed bridge,” he said during his speech.
Also present during the event earlier were Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Mersyad
Video by Alissala Thian