Latest news with #infrastructure upgrade
Malay Mail
01-08-2025
- Malay Mail
East-West Highway crash site where 15 UPSI students died upgraded with solar lights
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The site of the bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students at KM53 of the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur Barat, JRTB) has been upgraded with the installation of solar-powered street lights, Utusan Malaysia reported today. Other major improvements include resurfacing of the road and repairs to damaged guardrails following the June 9 incident, according to the Malay daily. A 60km survey from Gerik town in Perak to the crash site in Banun, near Tasik Banding, revealed ongoing infrastructure works, particularly the installation of solar lights at sharp bends and narrow sections of the highway. A Gerik resident, who wished to be known only as Sue, 39, told Utusan Malaysia she welcomed the upgrades as a preventive step to avoid similar tragedies. 'This gives drivers more confidence at night. JRTB hasn't seen improvements like this in a long time and was quite neglected. It's encouraging for those of us who frequently travel to Jeli,' she reportedly said. Built during the communist insurgency in the 1970s, the Gerik-Jeli stretch cuts through dense forest, home to wild elephants and the Malayan tiger. Another resident, Mohd Fadzil Abdul Aziz, 48, praised the government and the Public Works Ministry for responding swiftly, telling Utusan Malaysia that the upgrades have made a noticeable difference. 'Now the JRTB is well lit and much easier for road users. There's even a viral video showing elephants visible under the solar lights,' he said.
Arabian Business
28-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai RTA launches second phase of marine transport station upgrades across five locations
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the second phase of a project to upgrade waiting areas at marine transport stations across Dubai. The phase covers five stations: Al Fahidi, Baniyas, Al Seef, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Bluewaters. The project seeks to enhance customer service by providing a comfortable and modern environment that enriches the marine transport experience. Dubai marine stations get major upgrade The project supports RTA's strategy to promote customer happiness through services that foster sustainability, convenience, and quality of life. The development includes the installation of air-conditioning systems, waiting areas for customers and People of Determination, and enhancements implemented in line with international standards. The upgrades aim to elevate customer satisfaction through architectural concepts that celebrate cultural and heritage identity. Drawing inspiration from the emirate's wooden abras, the designs reflect the emirate's maritime legacy whilst showcasing the character of its urban environment. 'This project forms part of RTA's master plan to enhance the infrastructure of the marine transport network in Dubai and raise the quality of services provided in this sector. It aligns with the vision of the Government of Dubai to deliver world-class services to residents, tourists, and visitors,' Khalaf Belghuzooz Al Zarooni, Director of Marine Transport at the Public Transport Agency, RTA said, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. 'These stations are designed to improve connectivity between key facilities and major landmarks in the area. Each station provides a direct link to surrounding residential communities and nearby development projects. In addition, the stations are integrated with other modes of public transport—such as buses, metro stations, and the tram network. This contributes to smoother mobility for residents and visitors, reduces reliance on private vehicles, and ensures seamless intermodal connectivity across Dubai's public transport system. 'This step reaffirms RTA's commitment to implementing all necessary measures to ensure the highest standards of safety and comfort for marine transport users. The development includes security features, such as surveillance cameras and fire alarm systems. 'RTA has also incorporated the requirements of the Dubai Universal Design Code for People of Determination into the design of the waiting areas, underscoring RTA's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. The improvements provide a supportive environment through facilities, including ramps and smooth pathways tailored to diverse needs,' he added.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Sen. Maria Cantwell urges Trump to invest in modernized weather forecast system: "The money will save you money"
Sen. Maria Cantwell is urging President Trump to prioritize modernizing the nation's weather forecasting system, saying the investment will save lives as well as money down the road. She released a letter to the president Monday, following through on her pledge to provide guidance that the administration can use to upgrade weather forecasting infrastructure. "The money will save you money, for sure," Cantwell said in an interview on CBS News Monday. "The kind of investments you could make here are about taking a $20 billion [disaster] event and saying, if we would have done these things in advance, it wouldn't have cost us that much money. If storms are costing us this much, we have to come up with better solutions." The Democratic congresswoman, a prominent voice in environmental policy on Capitol Hill and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees weather and disasters. Cantwell penned the letter in the wake of disastrous flooding that killed at least 135 people in Central Texas. The July 4 flash flood prompted a massive search and recovery operations and raised questions about whether forecasts and warnings could have been more effective ahead of time. Cantwell's letter outlined five bipartisan recommendations to improve U.S. forecasting. It comes as the Trump administration continues to make cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency focused on weather and climate, and the National Weather Service, its subagency in charge of daily forecasts. NOAA is slated to see a 27% reduction in its budget at the start of the 2026 fiscal year, which could impact weather forecasting in a number of ways, including terminating research programs aimed at helping predict future precipitation rates and improve flash flood warning systems. The committee recently held a confirmation hearing for Dr. Neil Jacobs to become NOAA's new leader. "Communities across the United States are experiencing more frequent, intense, and costly flash floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, atmospheric rivers, landslides, heatwaves, and wildfires," Cantwell's letter said. She cited deadly — and costly — natural disasters that have ravaged communities around the United States in the last two years alone, including the Texas floods as well as last year's flooding from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and the devastating fires in Los Angeles and the Hawaiian island of Maui. Examples like these suggest "that providing Americans with more timely and accurate weather information can avoid billions in property losses and save lives," she wrote. CBS News has reached out to the White House for the administration's response. Cantwell's recommendations emphasize improvements in how weather data is collected and analyzed, as well as systems for notifying communities of severe weather. They include:Tracy J. Wholf contributed to this report.
