NABAWAN: The upgrading work for the Pancuran River bridge at Km0.20 of Jalan Nabawan Township has been delayed due to utility assets that need to be relocated.
State Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya said nearby utility assets are preventing the construction of the bridge.
Shahelmey, who is also Member of Parliament for Putatan, said that the latest status for the relocation of the assets is that Sabah Electricity has provided feedback on the scope and estimate of the work to the Nabawan Public Works Department (JKR) on February 12, 2025.
“It has been reviewed by the Deputy Superintendent and extended to the Sabah Public Works Department Bridge Division,” he said when asked to comment on the latest status of the bridge construction.
He said that TM has also informed JKR Nabawan that the relocation work will be carried out by them. The latest status is awaiting approval of the scope and budget from TM Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
However, he said, the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) has not yet provided the scope and estimate of the asset transfer to the Public Works Department (JKR) until now even though it was asked to do so no later than February 14.
“Following the issue of the transfer of utility assets, the Sabah Public Works Department has issued a Delay in Giving Site Possession Date letter to the contractor via a letter from the Supervising Officer dated February 18, 2025, which the site handover date will be updated after all issues at the site are resolved to enable the contractor to enter the site and begin physical work,” he explained.
According to the signboard, the construction start date is March 25, 2024 and the completion date is September 25, 2025.
The delay in the construction of this bridge has raised various perceptions among residents in this district where appointed contractors have not yet begun work.