By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 29: The infamous traffic congestion along Kuching-Kota Samarahan Expressway is expected to ease in the next two years once the state Public Works Department (JKR) completes its studies on traffic management and road upgrading works.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation (MIDT) Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said depending on the three-month study by state JKR, which would commence in January 2019, all the five roundabouts starting from Stutong all the way to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) would be upgraded to either traffic light intersections or shallow underpasses, including upgrading of the Stutong Road (from OneTJ to the roundabout) from the current two lanes to four lanes.
All in all, the estimated cost would be between RM110 million and RM180 million, depending on which solution would be picked, and the project would take between one and two years to complete.
“It was brought up during the last DUN (State Legislative Assembly) sitting not only by the opposition but also GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) elected representatives.
“As I’ve said before, we are the victims of success. So, we have to manage the success by making it easier for our road users. The problem now is that a lot of people are living around Kota Samarahan but are working in Kuching,” said Masing, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, at a press conference here today.
He also revealed that a “shortcut” road had been proposed to be built from Kota Samarahan directly to either the Kuching Isthmus (BCCK area) or Demak Laut area through Jalan Kampung Tanjong Bako, in the future.
This, Masing said, would further ease traffic woes for Kota Samarahan road users who are working in or travelling to and from Bako or Demak Laut area. — DayakDaily
