The lack of signs to alert motorists about the ongoing construction is a safety hazard.

MOTORISTS plying Jalan Selangor between Assunta Hospital and the Old Town intersection in Petaling Jaya should be extra alert, in view of ongoing drainage upgrading works.

The works are part of Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) flood mitigation plans, where construction is taking place on both sides of the road shoulders.

Although work has already begun, there is a lack of safety measures to alert motorists to the construction, which may endanger motorists, especially at night.

“I have not seen any road signs, flagman to direct traffic or information about the ongoing work,” said MBPJ councillor Ermeemariana Saadon when contacted.

The drainage upgrading work along Jalan Selangor at the stretch opposite the MBPJ library. — Photos: ROHAIZAT DARUS/The Star

She raised her safety concerns to MBPJ’s engineering and planning departments as well as the contractor in charge when the project started at the end of August.

However, it fell on deaf ears.

“I know there are no signboards or safety personnel stationed there because I take that road every day (to work).

“The contractor told me the signs that were put up were stolen.”

Ermeemariana said this posed a danger to motorists at night, especially senior citizen drivers who might not be able to see the road works or mounds of earth left on the roadside by contractors.

She added that she took photos of the unsafe conditions and would convey this to Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain, to show him that the contractor appointed did not follow safety requirements set by the council.

MBPJ Corporate Communications assistant director Abdul Hakim Khiruddin said the RM2.3mil project was necessary for flood mitigation.

“This is a solution to the flood problems along Jalan Selangor, especially at the stretch opposite the MBPJ library,” he said.

The upgrading works are expected to be completed next month.