JKR to submit proposal to upgrade 14 road junctions in Kuching

THE Public Works Department (JKR) has identified 14 locations in Kuching with junctions that need improvement works.

The department will also submit a proposal on enhancing these road junctions, to both Sarawak and federal governments, to be considered for implementation under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Deputy Chief Minister II Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said this during his ministerial windingup speech at the DUN sitting yesterday.

However, Masing said the est imate d projec t cos t o f RM20 million for each shallow underpass construction is no longer ref lective of the current construction market price.

The locations that indicate the need for improvement works on junctions are the Datuk Menteri Abang Haji Mohammad Zin Bin Haji Salleh roundabout at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub; the Datuk Amar Abang Haji Suleman Bin Haji Taha roundabout at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub; the Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce / Jalan Green junction; Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce / Jalan Nanas / Jalan Badruddin junction; Jalan Rock / Jalan Permata / Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho junction; Jalan Rock / Jalan Green / Jalan Batu Lintang / Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg junction; Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg / Jalan Badruddin / Jalan Taman Budaya junction; Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg / Jalan Taman Budaya / Jalan Satok junction; Jalan Satok / Jalan Green / Jalan Kulas / Jalan Muhibbah junction; Jalan Tabuan / Jalan Mendu / Jalan Batu Lintang / Jalan Simpang Tiga junction; Jalan Tun Razak / Jalan Foochow 1 / Jalan Rengas junction; Jalan Tun Razak / Jalan Sungai Apong junction; Jalan Wan Alwi / Jalan Urat Mata / Jalan Bukit Bayor junction; and Jalan Wan Alwi / Jalan Setia Raja / Jalan Canna roundabout.

Masing was responding to an issue raised by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How during a debate on Sarawak Budget 2019 in the august House last week.

Another issue that Masing responded to in his winding-up speech yesterday was the one from Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman regarding the possibility to offer free public bus service in the future.

“The Sarawak Government does not rule out the possibility to offer free public bus services in the future, but it is subject to further feasibi l ity study as it involves high capital and operational costs,” said Masing.

The government, he added, had taken the initiative to improve public transportation in Sarawak such as the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund ( ISBST), Stage Bus Service Transformation ( SBST) and Bus Rapid Transit ( BRT) concept for Kuching to reduce the financial burden shouldered by the people.

In responding to Tanjong Batu assemblyman Chiew Chiu Sing, Masing said his ministry would take note of the feedback on the cargo delivery services, the breakdown of cranes and other issues at Bintulu Port – said to be among the factors causing vessels to queue up at sea before they could enter the port.

“I wish to inform that Bintulu Port is under the purview of the Ministry of Transport ( MoT) Malaysia.

“My ministry wi l l take up your concerns to the attention of the MoT for further action,” he added.

A number of proposed road projects, Masing said, had also been submitted for consideration under the Mid Term Review ( MTR), but were not approved.

The proposed projects are the road linking Jalan Tanjung Assam to Jalan Beladi n / Meludam spanning 31km with an estimated cost of RM248 million; upgrading works on Jalan Repok up to CTC junction ( 3.8km, at an estimated cost of RM47 mi l lion); upgrading works on Jalan Nyelong Bypass to become a dual- carriageway ( 3.6km, at an estimated cost of RM32.2 million); upgrading and widening of Jalan Bleteh in Kapit ( 3km, at an estimated cost of RM16.5 million); upgrading of Jalan Bau/ Kuching ( 21km, at an estimated cost of RM130 million); Sibu Outer Ring ( 30km, at an estimated cost of RM300 million); and upgrading of Jalan Kampung Buda Betong ( 5km, at an estimated cost of RM30 million).

“My ministry wi l l pursue the s e p roj e c t s a g a in for consideration under the 12MP,” added Masing.