By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 20: The upgrading of Jalan Batu Kitang-Jalan Datuk Stephen Yong into four lanes may start construction next year.
According to Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, Aidel Lariwoo, the road project is part of the proposed Inner Ring Road Kuching Division under Package D.
“The design has been completed, and the construction of the proposed road will be submitted under the Mid-Term Review in 2023 for consideration,” he said during the question-and-answer time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He further said five packages are being proposed under the Inner Ring Road Kuching Division, but only two are currently under construction.
The first package is upgrading the existing 7.75km-long single carriageway to a dual carriageway from Mardi/Sultan Tengah roundabout to Demak/Gersik Roundabout to U5 dual carriageway road with the contract cost of RM65,888,888.80.
The project’s progress stands at 21.85 per cent, with a delay of 6.2 per cent from the schedule. The revised completion date of the project is on July 2, 2023.
The second package is upgrading the existing 12.5km-long carriageway to a dual carriageway and three RC (reinforced concrete) bridges located at Sg Semenggok, Sg Keranji and Sg Kuap from Mile 8 Kuching-Serian road to Kuching Outer Ring Road Roundabout to U5 dual carriageway road.
The project cost amounting to RM179,888,000 is funded by the federal government and is now progressing at 25.58 per cent, which is 0.77 per cent ahead of schedule.
The revised completion date of the project is on June 9, 2023.
Meanwhile, the three other packages’ designs have been completed and are ready to be tendered.
They are the upgrading of the existing 7km-long single carriageway and one RC bridge over Sg Semariang from Kopodium junction (FAC Road) to Mardi Roundabout to U5 dual carriageway road, upgrading the existing 9km-long carriageway to dual carriageway from Batu Kawa road junction to Mile 7 junction to U5 dual carriageway road, as well as the construction of a 9.5km-long new U5 carriageway road and one RC bridge over Sg Sarawak from Stephen Yong junction to Kopodium junction (FAC road). — DayakDaily
