KUCHING, Jan 10: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang is urging road users to be patient until the 7th Mile flyover is completed in April.
According to Lo, the council has discussed with Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd (LBU), Public Works Department (JKR) and the contractor to find ways and means to solve the traffic jam issues related to the flyover’s construction.
He explained it is not an easy job, and the reason why there is a jam is because Sarawak is now in Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan which has encouraged more movement resulting in the increase of traffic volume, and it is made worse with the opening of schools which starts today.
To address and improve the current traffic situation, he said that the council has adjusted the traffic light timing, especially from Kuching heading towards Serian, and vice versa.
“From 6am to 9am, the timing of green lights from Kuching heading towards Serian has been increased to the maximum, which is 140 seconds before it turns red, and from 5pm to 7.30pm, the green lights for the Serian to Kuching route has also been increased to 120 seconds.
“We are also controlling the timing of traffic lights (for users) from both Jalan Haji Baki heading towards Sentosa and Sentosa to Haji Baki as well, because this is a four-way junction,” he told reporters during a work visit to inspect the traffic flow at the affected 7th Mile area today.
Lo, who is also the Batu Kitang assemblyman, gave his assurance that MPP will continue to push the contractor involved to complete the flyover project as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap expressed hope that the public will bear with the temporary traffic situation at 7th Mile with an eye on the long-term benefit of the flyover when it is completed.
He pointed out that in the meantime, engineers and contractors are coming up with mitigating steps to help reduce traffic jams in the area.
“Although it is successful, it is still not good enough. In April, once the flyover is completed, there will be smoother traffic flow.
“After that we move on to another project. Step by step, and systematically, we will make Kota Sentosa better. That is my commitment,” he added. — DayakDaily
