New Flyover over the former Roundabout One/Traffic Lights Junction

The Roundabout One in the 1980's have faced many transformation,  an indication of the rapid development of Bintulu town since its first boom days.

In 2014 the Roundabout One was turned into a Traffic Lights Junction.

Today, the site is witnessing a major transformation as a flyover is under construction above the traffic light junction.

To have a good history of roundabouts in Bintulu, please check my other blog by following this link....>>>https://bintulub4now.blogspot.com/search/label/Roundabouts

Roundabout 3 Before, Major Traffic Lights Junction Now

In 1990, Bintulu had its biggest roundabout at KM 5, Bintulu- Miri Road. The Roundabout was plainly called Roundabout 3. At a corner of the roundabout was located JKR's temporary stock pile area for road and infrastructure construction materials.  An indoor badminton stadium was also built at one end of the state land on which the two facilities were built.

Looking at the place today, the changes is beyond recognition.  That site has been taken up by commercial buildings development undertaken by the private sector.

As at the point of writing the commercial shophouses are ready for occupation.  

As Bintulu moved into its Millenial Growth Era ( i.e. after its last fourth boom) and starting in 2016, the town remains the brightest star in its capacity as Sarawak's prime example of rapid physical development,  socio-economic progress, urban population growth and proper town planning.

Date taken : September, 2021.

 

Date taken : August, 1990.

Recent Developments around the former Roundabout 3

View of Roundabout 3, at KM 5, Bintulu-Miri Road circa mid 80's.

Aerial view of Roundabout 3

Much have changed in the infrastructure developments around the former Roundabout 3.  The area is about 5 km from Bintulu town.  Today, we see mammoth signboards giving it an ultra urban look.  The roundabout has been turned into a traffic lights junction. The latest development can be seen at right of the picture below.  Many blocks of 3 and 4-storey shop houses have been completed, though not yet occupied at the point of writing.  The main site of the shop houses was previously  JKR's temporary stock pile area and an indoor badminton building was situated there too.
As Bintulu moved into its Millenial Era ( after its last fourth boom) and starting in 2016, it remains the brightest star in its capacity as Sarawak's prime example of rapid physical development,  socio-economic progress, urban population growth and proper town planning.

View of recent development around the former Roundabout 3, now Traffic Lights Junction at KM 5 Bintulu- Miri Road.
Date taken : 30 June,2021.

Date taken : 30 June,2021.
Camera: Redmi 9A h/p.

 

Site of Kuala Kemena Bridge

Silica sand wharf and jetty - used in the 60's - 70's will become the site of the proposed new bridge linking Bintulu town and Jepak village.

Site of earth-breaking ceremony, 22 July'19.

On 22 July I had the opportunity to observe the earth-breaking ceremony for the proposed new bridge to be erected at the mouth of the Kemena River, which has the Bintulu town on its right bank and Jepak on its left bank as it nears the sea. The right side of the bank where the ceremony happened was formerly the site of a silica sand wharf and jetty used in the 60's to 70's. The cable-stayed bridge structure is expected to be completed in 48 months at a cost of RM 467 million and financed by the Sarawak state coffers. The earth-breaking ceremony was performed by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. It is the first time I see the Chief Minister speaking in a very confidant mastery style even though the speech was in Bahasa Serawak (or Sarawak Malay). He was in his elements and his manner of speaking was almost akin to the late Tok Nan whose straight- talking style invariably captivated the imagination and hearts of the peoples of Sarawak. With the completion of the bridge the total traveling distance to reach Bintulu town from the airport would be shortened to 6km from 20 km presently.

Taman Tumbina 30 years ago.

One of Bintulu's signature attraction is the Taman Tumbina. It is a combination of a zoological park and a botanical park. Thus it derived its name from two Malay words - TUMBINA = TUMBuhan (Plants) + BINAtang (Animals). Construction works by the developer of the project - BDA (Bintulu Development Authority) started in earnest in 1989 and the place was opened to the public in 1991.
Here are timeline combo pictures to recall the difference 30 years ago.

Aerial view of Bintulu - 50's - 60's compared with 70's -80's

A view of Bintulu town in 1954

Downtown Bintulu in 2011

Main Bazaar road in May, 2013.

Jalan Sultan Iskandar 30 years later

View of sleepy town and first boom

Kidurong Highway 30 years later

Aerial view of roundabouts - 80's to 90's

Masjid Assyakiriin gardens 30 years later

Demolishment of town squatters in 1987

Aurora Link Road - single to dual carriageway

Old Government Office Building and Green Road

Main Bazaar road towards the Kemena River in 1975

Main Bazaar Road in 1975

Seen are students from BGSS (Bintulu Government Secondary School) walking along Main Bazaar road as part of the activities in conjunction with Prophet's Mohammad's Birthday celebration in 1975.  In the background is partly seen the low-lying areas along the banks of the Kemena River with very few building structures. 

View of Main Bazaar road today, 9 April'17. The picture shows the road leading out of town.

The twin market building in the background houses the 'Pasar Utama' and in the far background is seen a similar building that houses the 'Tamu'.  Both have the architectural look of local Melanau sun-hat called the 'Terendak'.

The architecture of the market was inspired from the local Melanau sun-hat called the "Terendak". The Main Bazaar road now functions as a four-lane one way street with ample car parking spaces on both sides. Towards the left of the picture is partly seen a large open space for public activities, show, fairs and public assembly area.  

Bintulu's biggest public park in 1966

Parade in conjunction with Agong's birthday, 8 June'66
Photo credit : Patt Taylor Bader

View of the public space and garden today, 9 April'17.

For more stories about this public open space in the 60's please follow this link....>>>>http://bintulub4now.blogspot.my/2015/12/king-george-vi-memorial-ground.html

Abang Galau and a road to his name

Me and Friends  at the road junction of Abang Galau road in 1975.
Note the typical wooden Malay houses prevalent at that time built along the road as seen in the background  and take note too of the tall palm trees in the background .

View of Jalan Abang Galau or Abang Galau Road from the middle portion ( in front of OKMS i.e. Orang Kaya Mohammed School) ) towards the town center.
Photo credits : Tuah, Adi B., Abon R., Daha S., Buding B., Ahip P. & Ritchie,  J. (  ) Dari Kampung Nelayan ke Industriopolis, Pejabat Pentadbiran Bahagian Bintulu, Bintulu.

There is a road that runs parallel to Jalan Mesjid or Mosque Road in Bintulu that was named after a local chieftan named Abang Galau. The  Abang Galau  Road is slightly less than one kilometer in length.  It starts from the Bintulu town centre traffic light junction ( Kepppel Road/ Pedada Road traffic lights junction) and ends close to the Sebiew River.

Abang Galau prominence as a local chieftan  during the days of the Brunei Sultanate's rule over Bintulu was well received by the Brooke's administration (Charles Brooke)  which subsequently endorsed him as the local dignitary to represent the natives community of Bintulu when the Sultan of Brunei ceded the Bintulu region  to the Brookes in 1861.  According to some reports, he is a descendant from the Punan or Orang Ulu  bloodline from the marriage of Pengiran Panji and Kendoh.

View of Jalan Abang Galau taken on 27 May,2016.
Note the hotel and shophouses at  the left of the picture. These new buildings were built under Phase Two of Kampung Dagang Commercial Centre project developed by Hock Peng Realty Sdn Bhd.  The first phase of the re-development of the Malay/Melanau villages along the Abang Galau Road  was undertaken by Bintulu Realty Estate Sdn Bhd. covering an area of 1.44 hectares involving  36 landowners. 

Jalan Abang Galau, taken on 27 May'16.
Note:  For more information on the development of the Kampung Dagang Commercial Centre, please follow this link...>>>http://bintulub4now.blogspot.my/2014/01/jalan-mesjid-at-kampung-dagang-in-1979.html

Abang Galau Road of the 60's.

 This is the section of the road that ends close to the Sebiew River.

In the 60's it was the sight of rubber and fruit tree gardens and Malay/Melanau kampungs or villages.

|The above picture shows Malay/ Melanau men wearing the Malay headress ("Songkok") when attending a wedding reception at a Muslim Melanau's  house beside the Abang Galau Road.