Drawbridge for Terengganu

KUALA TERENGGANU: Construction of the country’s first drawbridge will begin in January next year and is expected to be completed in 2016.

The KTCC Drawbridge is set to be an iconic landmark in Kuala Terengganu.

It will be located at the mouth of the Terengganu river.

“The drawbridge project has been tendered and we expect construction to start in January 2014. It will take two years to complete.

“I believe it is the first of its kind in the country. It will serve as a tourist attraction.

“The drawbridge will feature a restaurant as well as an exhibition centre,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

He made the announcement at the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) open day here yesterday.

The design of the bridge was unveiled at the event. However, he did not reveal the cost of the project.

The bridge is part of the RM5bil Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) project developed by ECER.

Once completed, the bridge will feature a shopping mall, a convention centre and condominiums among other attractions.

It links a bypass road, which will allow drivers from the south of Kuala Terengganu to get to Sultan Mahmud Airport without having to enter the city.

The open day was held in conjunction with ECER’s fifth anniversary this year.

During his speech, Ahmad said that since the establishment of ECER, Terengganu had attracted RM20.4bil in private investments from around the world.

Accordingly, this has led to the creation of 10,850 new jobs and 800 new entrepreneurs.

According to ECER Develop­­ment Council chief executive officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John, the pur­­­pose of the ECER open day was to serve as an avenue for the council to share information on ECER projects and programmes with the public.