By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Feb 5: The federal government has set aside RM1.2 million to kick start preliminary works on the GK Roundabout project, says Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He added that preliminary works for the project are expected to commence this year.
“The upgrading works on the GK Roundabout is about RM67 million in total,” he said during a site visit today.
The Kapit MP added the roundabout will be replaced with a signalised traffic junction, including widening the existing four lanes to six dual carriageways.
“The project scope would also involve the installations of smart traffic light system,” he said.
He emphasised that upgrading the GK Roundabout is crucial to boost traffic efficiency from the Pujut-Kuala Baram, Pujut-Miri, and Piasau roads here.
Due to the design of the road and roundabout, these three roads are always congested during peak hours.
“Overall, the federal government via my ministry has set aside RM400,000 to upgrade and repair several accident ‘hot spots’ or hazardous road locations in Miri this year,” he said, adding that they have identified a few areas.
Meanwhile, he said the federal government has set aside RM10.4 million to upgrade federal roads in Miri.
“I was told by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) that the amount, however, is insufficient to cover the entire process, estimated to be around RM25 million,” he said.
At the same time, he also thanked the federal government for the budget approval to his ministry for road maintenance works.
“This year, we were given a bigger allocation than the previous administration, and the ministry is committed to putting in requests for more funding,” he said.
During the visit, Nanta was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew, Miri MP Chiew Choon Man, and Miri Mayor Adam Yii. — DayakDaily
