Puncak Borneo slope rectification works begin
KUCHING: Slope rectification works at KM5+ 900 and KM6+100 near Kampung Karu at Jalan Puncak Borneo began yesterday.
Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the RM3 million project is scheduled for completion in March next year.
“This damaged slope is not only very famous for landslides, but also for Facebook and of course famous for some political mileage for some other people. Whatever it is, we want to settle it now, once and for all,” he said during the earth-breaking ceremony yesterday.
The Mambong assemblyman said the rectification work was delayed because there were other places in more critical condition, especially the cut- off road at Kampung Abang, which required immediate attention.
He noted that there were other smaller road slope areas, where work had been done very quickly.
“But this slope, because of the undercurrent of the water system inside, we need to do soil survey, we need to ensure that whatever we do it’s going to be permanent or lasts long.
“So it takes time. Because it takes time, all these will cause a lot of inconvenience,” he said, adding since 2016, more landslides have occurred, worsening the condition of the slope.
Dr Jerip called on the contractor to place proper signage, especially at night, during construction to avoid untoward incidents.
At an earlier briefing, Public Works Department Kuching divisional engineer Awang Mohd Fadillah Awang Redzuan said the proposed remedial works on the slope would include geogrid reinforced slope (40 metres in length x 12 metres in height) at location number one and (40 metres in length x 12 metres in height) at location number two, along with the construction of a new drainage system on both sides of the embankment.
He said a properly designed slope would be built to contain eroded soil and to provide surface protection as well as drainage for water runoff.
Awang Mohd Fadillah said the slope at KM5+ 900 and KM6+100 was the second most serious landslide after Kampung Abang since 2015.
He noted there were 150 locations with landslides, ranging from minor to major, affecting road shoulders along Jalan Puncak Borneo up to Annah Rais, Simuti, and old Padawan Road.
“Since 2015 till now, we managed to complete 107 slope failures, which cost about RM30 million. The rest are still under implementation and design.
“All these slope rectification projects were funded by the Sarawak government,” he added.