THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is currently undertaking important roadside and drainage upgrading and maintenance works along Carnarvon Street from the Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong intersection to Pesara Claimant to address flood issues and smoother water flow in the drainage system there.
According to Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, works officially began in September last year and are expected to be wrapped up in September this year, although they were initially slated for completion in May.
Teh, in a media conference at Carnarvon Street earlier today, stated that the proposed delay in completion was due to the project being carried out near the George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS).
“The heritage buildings in this vicinity are old, and if we do not complete this project carefully, it could result in an unprecedented set of events.
“We have to keep in mind that GTWHS is an important identity of Penang, hence we need to ensure it is protected,” Teh said in his speech.
The entire project, which is being implemented by the MBPP Engineering Department, will cost RM1,954,000, and it is being borne by the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
Meanwhile, MBPP councillor Benji Ang explained the project’s main components.
The existing drainage system, currently measuring between 0.3m and 0.5m in width, will be upgraded to a wider range of 0.6m to 2.4m to enhance water capacity. Additionally, the road shoulders will be expanded from their current width of 1m to 2.6m, increasing to a new range of 1m to 3m.
Other improvements include replacing roadside drainage systems with precast drains measuring 600mm and 900mm in width at Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze (40m), Kimberley Street (90m), and Pesara Claimant (50m).
“We are also reconstructing the pedestrian walkway using Jubin Euro Tiles,” he said.
Story and pix by Kevin Vimal