Air-conditioned walkway launched for KL city folk

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin launched an elevated pedestrian walkway over Jalan Pinang and Jalan Kia Peng in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur recently. The air-conditioned walkway spans 142m and has disabled-friendly tact tiles, elevators and escalators. The project was funded with Petronas’ RM100mil contribution for the city’s development.

Less hassle: The newly-opened elevated walkway over Jalan Pinang and Jalan Kia Peng.

The walkway is the first of a total of 12km of walkways that will be constructed to connect major roads in the city to public transport terminals and are expected to be completed before the end of 2011. Raja Nong Chik said the walkways are part of the Government’s efforts to improve the city’s public transportation system under the Urban Public Transport National Key Results Area (NKRA). He said the links between strategic locations would also boost economic activities in their vicinity. Raja Nong Chik also said the walkways would help promote walking and help reduce obesity. The walkways can also be used to reach the monorail and light rail transit (LRT) services.

-thestar online.