By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 4: Putting in extra hours from 9pm to 4am, the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak will try its best to complete the tar-sealing process of the Jalan Canna-Setia Raja roundabout (or Stutong roundabout) in two weeks’ time if weather permits.
According to its assistant director Meechan Jorai, in order to hasten the project completion to reduce inconvenience to the public, the contractor is now working on two shifts, from 9am to 4pm and from 9pm to 4am.
He said JKR Sarawak has been monitoring the traffic situation in this area for the past week and expressed regret that works have been delayed due to incessant rain for the past few weeks.
Before installing traffic lights to ease road congestion, he said roads in the affected area would need to be widened before gravel is mounted on these road surfaces, and lastly sealed with bitumen.
However, due to bad weather, the contractor was unable to complete the premix, leading to loose gravel stretches on the roads around the roundabout.
“We will also publish a statement on alternative roads and other routes to use to avoid entering this roundabout,” said Meehan when invited by Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to join the latter’s weekly social media livestream today.
Meechan also revealed that police have been engaged to direct the traffic flow during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, and called for public cooperation.
“There were a few incidents whereby vehicles overtook using the side lanes and all that. When everybody is doing this and don’t follow instructions, it will cause jams,” said Meechan.
He said Sarawak JKR will keep motorists posted on frequent updates and notifications, especially on alternative routes.
Meanwhile, Wee conveyed Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas’ apologies to the public for the inconvenience caused during the road improvement process.
“We did it the first time (when turning Northbank roundabout into a traffic light). Let us work together, we can do it a second time,” said Wee, conveying Uggah’s message. — DayakDaily
