By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 27: The major remedial works for slope failure at the junction of Kampung Haji Baki along the Jalan Kuching-Bau here have commenced and is expected to be completed in eight months by June 17 next year.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang pointed out that the state-funded project costing nearly RM2 million is crucial to ensure the accident-prone stretch is safe for motorists.
“The project will take eight months due to the large scope of work involved. But we will try to speed it up.
“The construction works along this stretch face certain challenges as contractors have to exercise extra care to prevent damage to underground utilities along the road like water pipelines and electricity cables,” he explained in a live session on his social media following a visit to the project site today.
In a briefing given by an engineer from the Public Works Department (JKR), the major scope of works involved including the reconstruction of the road embankment, pavement structure and construction of wall with RC slab.
JKR also emphasised that various utilities infrastructure along the road including the high tension cable also posed great challenges and dangers which will lead to works taking a longer time.
While the current diversion to access the Jalan Kuching-Bau is quite messy and given the high traffic volume in 7th Mile, Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, has urged JKR to consider the possibility of improving the diversion to redirect traffic, ease congestion and smoothen the traffic flow.
“This project is going ahead and works are ongoing. So I would like to advise motorists to be careful when using this road.
“In the long run, the Batu Kitang Road will be upgraded to a four-lane dual carriageway,” he added. — DayakDaily
