roundabout in Petra Jaya, Kuching.
KUCHING: The newly opened Datuk Temenggong Abang Kipali bin Abang Akip interchange in Petra Jaya is one of a kind in Sarawak whereby it is adopting a shallow underpass concept, said the State Public Works Department (JKR). In a press statement issued here yesterday, JKR emphasised that since it opened to traffic a few weeks ago, the new underpass has improved the congestion tremendously whereby no massive traffic jam can be observed at any time of the day.
“Prior to the construction of this interchange, the traffic count that was conducted by the consultant showed that 95 per cent of the traffic comprised motorcycles and vehicles that were lower than 2.2 metres
. The remaining 5 per cent of the traffic comprised heavy commercial vehicles such as bus, lorry and trailers. “To put things into perspective, vehicles such as sedan, SUV, MPV and pick-up trucks are all below the 2.2m height. This height is also the standard height for any basement and multi-storey carpark therefore any vehicles that can enter a basement or multi-storey carpark would definitely be able to use the shallow underpass.
“Bomba, ambulance, vehicles with the height of more than 2.2m or drivers wanting to enter a different leg of the roundabout can do so using the existing roundabout. Due to the efficiency of the new underpass, the roundabout is now free of traffic making entering the roundabout a quick and simple task.
Vehicles such as the Vellfire, Land Cruiser and Hilux, can all go through the underpass with ease,” said JKR. In terms of road safety, multiple warning signs has been installed with some signs installed more than 500m before the underpass to warn drivers of the incoming height restriction.
As for the height warning bar, it is purposely hanged with chains as this would break easily upon impact without pulling down the whole gantry which can be more dangerous to road users.
