Kota Kinabalu: Cyclists and the public will soon enjoy a new stretch of riverside cycle lane and pedestrian walkway from Yayasan Sabah bridge to University Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is currently undertaking construction of the 3.1 kilometres cycling lane and walkway, which costs RM15 million.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah said the construction was expected to be completed in July next year.

He said DBKK had handed over the construction site to the contractor on July 21 this year.

The development comprises Yayasan Sabah Nodes Plaza, car park, refreshment kiosk, public toilet, public park and other facilities along the river amid the mangrove forest.

Yong, who is the mister in charge of DBKK, said development was approved by the Federal Government as one of the projects under Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

Under SDC's Environment Improvement Project of Kota Kinabalu City Centre, the Federal Government through Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) had allocated more than RM30 million to build an 11km cycle lane and pedestrian walkway from Tanjung Aru to UMS.

Yong said the stretch of cycle lane and pedestrian walkway from Tanjung Aru to Likas Bay (before Yayasan Sabah Bridge), has been completed.

Therefore, he said the Federal Government allocated RM15 million of the total RM30 million to build the last package from Yayasan Sabah bridge to UMS.

Yong said the project emphasized on the integration of eco-friendliness and leisure.

"This is the reason the cycle lane and pedestrian walkway are built along the river amid the mangrove forest.

"The development not only allows cyclists and pedestrians to carry out recreational and sports activities but also to enable them to get in touch with the natural ecosystem of the mangrove forest."