By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 29: Widening and upgrading works along Jalan Urat Mata have commenced to improve traffic flow and ease congestion during peak hours, with the project scheduled for completion on Jan 10, 2027.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the works, which began on Aug 11, involved widening selected critical sections of the 1.32-kilometre road to provide a more practical and effective solution to traffic congestion.
He said Jalan Urat Mata was a key arterial road connecting Tabuan Jaya, Tabuan Heights and BDC, linking Jalan Wan Alwi in the north to Jalan Song in the south.
The road also serves densely populated and busy commercial areas, including Taman Sahabat, VivaCity Megamall, the Tabuan Jaya commercial centre and the Jalan Song commercial district.
“Traffic congestion is particularly common during peak hours, and the upgrading works are aimed at improving traffic flow and making daily travel safer and more convenient for road users,” he said in a post shared on his social media yesterday (Aug 28).
Wee said the original proposal was to widen the entire 1.32-kilometre stretch into a dual two-lane carriageway.
However, following a detailed assessment, MBKS decided to prioritise the most critical sections to address traffic congestion more effectively.
The works include widening the right-side lane by about 600 metres from the Jalan Song-Jalan Urat Mata junction to Lorong Urat Mata 7.
Another section, measuring about 300 metres, will see the left-side lane widened from Lorong Urat Mata 3 to the Jalan Wan Alwi junction.
Wee said the project would be carried out within the existing 25-metre road reserve, primarily utilising available green buffer areas.
“No land acquisition will be required, and measures have been taken to minimise impacts on underground utilities and the drainage system,” he explained.
He added that the council’s priority was to improve traffic flow while ensuring safer and smoother journeys for residents and other road users.
“Our primary task is to improve traffic flow so that residents can travel more safely and smoothly. MBKS will continue to implement practical and effective infrastructure improvements based on traffic conditions and community needs,” he said.
MBKS also appealed to motorists and residents living along the affected stretch to extend their understanding and cooperation throughout the construction period.
Road users have been urged to remain alert and drive cautiously when passing through the work zone. — DayakDaily
