One of the construction sites for the SUKE (left) is located a stones throw away from the homes of Taman Bukit Segar Jaya 2 in Ampang. Residents said the noise from the nighttime construction was becoming unbearable.

THE continuous sound of heavy equipment pounding away at a highway construction site at Taman Bukit Segar Jaya, Ampang is causing sleepless nights for residents there.

With one of the project sites for the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) located behind the neighbourhood, residents said the noise from the nighttime construction was becoming unbearable.

Taman Bukit Segar Jaya 2 & 3 Residents’ Association (BSJRA) president Yang Cheng Jaw said the contractors should stick to the approved working time.

“We were told by our local councillor that they are only allowed to work until 6.30pm every day, but now we hear work going on past midnight.

BSJRA vice-president Kuah Ah Chai questioned the lack of enforcement by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) over the working hours for the project.

“We have complained numerous times to MPAJ, but nothing is done. Sometimes the enforcement officers come but no action is taken,” he said, adding that this has been going on for about three months.

MPAJ councillor Alice Tan, who planned to mediate a meeting between the residents, MPAJ and project developer Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas), said laws and guidelines were in place and should be enforced.

“I am disappointed by MPAJ’s lack of response over the matter,” she said.

SUKE is a 31.8km three-lane highway that starts in Sri Petaling and passes through Sungai Besi, Alam Damai, Cheras, Kajang and several residential areas before ending in Ulu Kelang.

In response to the residents’ complaints, Prolintas said in a statement that the area in question was inspected and that work would be carried out within the permitted working hours so as not to disturb nearby residents.

“The piling work is the most crucial element of construction and it will go on for the next three months.

“Temporary noise barriers will also be installed to minimise the sound impact.

“We will try to expedite the completion of the piling activity so that we can move to areas away from residents.

“The subsequent construction activities will be much less uncomfortable,” the statement read.