MBKS appeals for widening of Jalan Stutong to SJKC Chung Hua No 2 to resolve long-standing bottleneck

An aerial view of the Jalan Setia Raja traffic light intersection which has been activated recently. Photo credit: JKR Sarawak

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, March 25: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has appealed to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development to widen Jalan Stutong near SJK(C) Chung Hua No 2 here to help resolve the long-standing traffic bottleneck on the busy stretch.

MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said that he has proposed the road widening or construction of an overhead bridge near the school to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas recently.

“We hope that this will be considered during the mid-term review and that the Deputy Premier will be able to help us fight for this project because there are only two ways to get to the school (and residential housing along the stretch),” he said during his ShallWeeTalk live session with the community today.

Currently, the two-way Jalan Stutong which points towards the new TT3-Northbank traffic light intersection and the OneTJ roundabout is no longer sufficient to cater to the heavy traffic flow in the area, especially during peak hours, that have caused chokepoints of traffic congestion.

Touching briefly on the activation of the traffic light system at the intersection of Jalan Setia Raja near Stutong market, Wee was grateful towards the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak which had rushed it for the benefits of road users as heavy traffic is anticipated with schools having reopened.

With construction on the Jalan Setia Raja roundabout still ongoing, he emphasised that it can still cause short-term traffic congestion that would improve in due time.

“However, I believe that with past experience, it is hoped that JKR Sarawak and the contractors involved will be fluid and flexible in solving the problems that may arise,” he added. — DayakDaily