KUCHING: The Public Works Department (JKR) will continue to ensure that road safety measures are in place at construction sites along the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak.
In a statement today, the department also reminded motorists to inculcate safe driving habits by obeying traffic regulations, respecting the rights of other drivers and maintaining physical and mental alertness while driving or being on the road.
Commenting on a fatal accident in Sibu on June 11, as reported by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the department said its traffic management team has conducted an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.
“At around 7am, the contractor’s patrol vehicle came across a car that was stalled at a construction site and called the police, Bomba and the hospital after discovering that the driver, a 63-year-old woman, was found unconscious alone, with the car engine still running.
“She could be unconscious owing to medical issues. Being uninformed of her surroundings, she mitht have driven straight into the construction area, hitting the plastic barriers and coming to a stop within the construction site.
“Further inquiry revealed that signage such as the ‘50KM Speed Limit’ and’”Men at Work’ sign had been displayed at proper distances. As a result of the police report and site inquiry, the JKRS traffic management team assessed that the incident was a self-accident.”
JKRS further remarked contractors were being reminded to meticulously and quickly construct the single carriageway (C1) and all other packages (WPC02 – WPC11).
“All traffic has been gradually redirected to the newly finished initial single carriageway (C1), and the majority of these packages are expected to be completed by the end of August 2021.”
“The Federal government has appointed a project management consultant (PMC) to assist JKRS, which has been appointed as the project’s superintending officer (SO). The JKRS project team has evolved into an integrated project team, with the Pan Borneo Highway Unit and now receiving assistance from the PMC.”
JKRS urged all parties directly or indirectly involved in this project to play their part and give the necessary cooperation and assistance in order to work safely together in building the four-lane dual carriageway.
