MBKS traffic wardens deployed to assist traffic police at TT3 roundabout

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Jan 4: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) traffic wardens were mobilised to assist traffic police in controlling the heavy traffic flow at the TT3 roundabout near Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone here this morning.

Severe traffic congestion in the area especially during peak hours has resulted in commuting delays for many road users. 

The action was taken after many parts of Kuching city including the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway where works to upgrade five roundabouts into intersections are ongoing witnessed the worst traffic jams yesterday evening (Jan 3). 

The road works have in fact badly affected the traffic flow in and out of Kota Samarahan that is already seeing high traffic volume daily for some time now. 

In a post shared by MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng on social media, residents in the Samarahan area have highlighted that it took them over two hours to get from Summer Mall to eMart Tabuan Jaya, with many having recently reported late for work. 

Some netizens also pointed out to Wee that the traffic jams along Kuching-Samarahan Expressway occurred not only during morning peak hours but also when school sessions end, after-work hours and from 7pm onwards.

Netizens requested for traffic wardens and police personnel to be deployed to manage the heavy traffic as early as 5.30am as the jam has already started then, as well as from 4.30pm for the after-work peak hours. 

In response to these issues, Wee informed them that MBKS will be meeting relevant agencies and departments today to discuss ways and measures to deal with the traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak disclosed yesterday (Jan 3) that upgrading works along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway have entered the critical phase and the bad condition of the roads due to construction is slowing vehicles and thus creating traffic congestion. 

It addded that traffic congestion should improve once the premix laying works ongoing at the TT3 roundabout is completed by Friday (Jan 6). 

To mitigate traffic congestion during peak hours, it has also instructed the contractor to carry out premix works at night.

JKR Sarawak emphasised that the appointed rescue contractor is working diligently to complete the upgrading works which will last at least until November this year if they keep up the current pace. — DayakDaily