New U5-standard road project set to boost economic growth

KUCHING: The construction of the 6.2km road from Kuching International Airport (KIA) to Muara Tuang and Sungai Tapang is expected to boost the economic growth in the surrounding areas.

The treasurer of Federation of Chinese Associations in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian District (Youth Section) Aaron Tay acknowledged that the new road would provide an alternative route for motorists from Samarahan and Serian.

“We are expecting a smoother and shorter journey when travelling around these areas once the project is completed.

“Besides, it will open up new areas for development as well as create more job and business opportunities, including real estate development,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Tay said infrastructure facilities would contribute immensely to economic progress as there was no way for goods and services to move efficiently without a good infrastructure network.

“This road project is necessary and timely, in that it will boost the economy and the development of the surrounding areas including Kota Sentosa, which would gradually become part of ‘Greater Kuching',” said the businessman who is based in Kota Sentosa.

Tay also expressed his gratitude to Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who had been persistently fighting since 2017 to have the project approved.

“Finally, we witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on Saturday and hopefully, the torturous traffic congestion in the areas would be a thing of the past.

“This is indeed great news to the residents and the business community there” he added.

On Saturday, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof launched the commencement of the RM112.9-million project, which was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan-Third Rolling Plan. The 36-month project was awarded to Reka Ikhtiar Sdn Bhd and it is expected to reach completion by August 2024.