KUCHING, June 14: The RM67 million Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali bin Abang Akip Interchange via Shallow Underpass opens to traffic today.
Work on this project started about two years ago to ease traffic congestion between Petra Jaya and the city centre.
“We are very happy that the project is finally completed and that it will help ease traffic congestion in Petra Jaya, especially during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which falls tomorrow,” Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing told DayakDaily here.
The double-decker underpass is probably the first of its kind in the country.
Masing said the underpass would undergo a two-month trial run to let commuters get used to it and decide whether to take the underpass or the upgraded roundabout.
Ambulances with flashing lights on top are normally slightly more than 2.2m high, so they might need to use the upgraded roundabout.
Meanwhile, Masing hoped the proposed traffic management unit in his ministry could be set up this year to achieve smooth traffic flow in towns and cities across the state.
“We have to set up this unit as soon as possible so that we can tackle traffic related issues in Sarawak … the sooner the better,” he said. — DayakDaily
