Wee (middle) answering questions from Hasim (left) and Abdul Rahim on the soon-to-be-built Glulam bridge in Precint 16, Putrajaya.
RESIDENTS in Precinct 16, Putrajaya, can expect a quicker way to Precinct 1 when a pedestrian bridge connecting the two is completed in December.
Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) has teamed up with Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) to build the Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) pedestrian bridge, estimated to cost RM1.8mil.
Spanning 47m long and 3m wide, the bridge will be made of local timber.
PPj president Datuk Seri Hasim Ismail said the construction of the bridge will start next month.
“I am very excited about this project and our collaboration with MTC.
“The pedestrian bridge will be of great benefit to the people here,” he said after signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the bridge construction.
The MoU was signed between Hasim and MTC chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rahim Nik, witnessed by MTC chairman Datuk Wee Jeck Seng and PPj City Planning Department vice-president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud at the PPj Complex.
Abdul Rahim said the project would strengthen MTC’s effort to encourage and promote the use of timber, as well as share the advent of technology in timber engineering.
“Glulam is a high-strength engineered timber product comprising layers of dimensioned timber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant adhesives.
“The technology revolving around Glulam has enabled large pieces of timber to be constructed and bent into all shapes and sizes,” he said.
He added that these were some of Glulam’s unique characteristics that were not prevalent in other building materials.
MTC will administer all construction efforts while PPj will assist MTC and play an advisory role on technical matters as well as monitor the work progress.
The main contractor appointed for the project is myGlam Sdn Bhd, a member of the Association of Malaysian Bumiputra Timber and Furniture Entrepreneurs.
PPj will also oversee the special lighting system that will be used to highlight the beauty of the bridge, as there is a wetland bird habitat nearby.
“We will be taking measures to ensure that the construction work will not affect the birds,” said Abdul Rahim.
He added that the construction work would stop at 5pm and the lighting used at the bridge would be dim so that it would not bother the birds.
