Lee looking into building multi-storey carpark to ease Miri Hospital parking woes

Lee (fourth right) at a press conference this morning. Also present was Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong (third left).

By Brad Rantayy

MIRI, Sept 19: Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin has proposed a multi-storey carpark be constructed within the Miri Hospital compound to overcome its parking congestion.

“I’m looking at the idea as a long-term plan to resolve congestion at the Miri Hospital’s parking space,” said Lee today.

According to Lee who is also Senadin assemblyman, the present number of parking lots is insufficient.

“Seven-hundred plus 1,000 existing parking lots is not enough as the number of hospital staff is growing, and that is why the multi-storey carpark is necessary,” he pointed out.

Lee said this when met after his visit to a construction site of a new access road within Miri Hospital’s compound.

The project is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative supported by four well-known private companies here and facilitated by Miri Public Works Department (PWD).

The construction work is expected to be completed next month.

“Once completed, this new access road would help ease traffic flow within the Miri Hospital compound, because besides using the main entrance and another road adjacent to the drive-thru pharmacy, hospital staff can also use this new access route,” he told reporters.

On another note, Lee said they also intended to upgrade a 6km stretch of the Padang Kerbau road into a dual carriageway in view of the developing taking place in surrounding areas.

“The surrounding areas are changing rapidly, with housing estates, association buildings, and a long distance bus terminal being constructed here….and that is why the dual-carriageway is necessary,” Lee said.

“We’ll put it up under the 12th Malaysian Plan.” — DayakDaily