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By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 7: An annual budget of RM4 million has been allocated for the routine maintenance of the ageing 128.46km Bakun Road with a total of 762 potholes fixed between January and May this year, resulting from damage caused by overloaded heavy vehicles.
However, Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi emphasised that the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak is facing difficulties in ensuring the longevity of the patched potholes due to the ageing condition of this federal road.
“It is estimated that RM15 million is required to upgrade and rehabilitate Jalan Simpang Bakun to Bakun Dam. We are still waiting for the approval of the allocation requested in the 4th Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan for 2024 to address this problem,” he told reporters after a visit to inspect the road in Bintulu today.
The main scope of the Upgrading and Rehabilitation for Bakun Road project is to upgrade the 128.46km road into a two-lane dual carriageway conforming to JKR R3 standards.
Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, highlighted several challenges encountered in maintaining the road with the main contributing factor to the damage being overloaded heavy vehicles frequently using this road.
Additionally, there have been issues with the insufficient supply of hot premix. As an immediate solution, the JKR has instructed the concessionaire company to utilise cold mix and increase the number of machinery to expedite repairs.
“Furthermore, repair works on badly damaged road pavement resulting from weak pavement structure have also been implemented with a total of three Work Instructions totalling RM6 million have been issued this year.
“The Ministry has also introduced the Cold-in Place Recycling (CIPR) method to resurface the road in order to strengthen its structural integrity and extend the lifespan of the road,” he explained.
Moreover, an additional sum of RM17.8 million has been allocated for the periodical maintenance of both the pavement and non-pavement sections from 2018 to 2023 on this federal road.
Nanta added that the Ministry, through its technical agency JKR Sarawak, is committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of the federal road in Bintulu Division, which spans 194.46km, through regular maintenance.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong were among those present. — DayakDaily
