By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 14: A carpark with between 30 to 50 parking bays will be constructed opposite the Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial (RCBM) Hospital to alleviate the traffic congestion in the area and a lack of parking space, with construction expected to be completed in three weeks, says Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
He stated that accidents occur frequently in the area due to a lack of parking space and people parking on the side of the road and while they are not fatal, they are nonetheless inconvenient.
“The hospital doctors brought this to my attention, so I came to investigate and brought it to the attention of the Public Works Department (JKR).
“I’d like to thank JKR’s divisional engineer, who acted swiftly on this matter, as well as JKR director Richard Tajan, who approved this project and is now levelling the ground for the car park,” he told reporters today during a press interview at the carpark construction site opposite the RCBM Hospital in Kota Padawan here.
Lo noted that the JKR carpark project begins today and that once completed, the carpark will be free of charge.
“I estimate the total cost of the project to be approximately RM200,000 if a contractor is hired to complete it, but since JKR is handling it, I cannot determine the exact amount.
“Regarding the fund, it is provided by the State government,” he disclosed.
Lo, who is also the Batu Kitang assemblyman, went on to say that once the car park is completed, there will be a proper entry and exit, so there will be no more congestion at the entrance of the RCBM Hospital.
In addition, when asked whether a bridge will be constructed from the carpark to the RCBM Hospital, the MPP chairman remarked that a pedestrian crossing with warning lights will be constructed instead.
“JKR will also put up warning signs notifying drivers to slow down as they approach the hospital.
“We are also considering installing traffic lights in the area, but I am concerned that drivers may hit the traffic lights, which is dangerous because this is a main road, but we will look into it.
“However, installing traffic lights will take time because JKR cannot put up traffic lights right away as there are a few procedures to follow,” Lo explained. — DayakDaily
