KUCHING: More traffic police and wardens will be deployed to assist and manage traffic flow along the Kuching-Samarahan expressway.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this would ensure smooth traffic flow during the ongoing construction works.
“We will do whatever we can to ensure that the traffic in this area will be as smoothly as possible to reduce disruption,” he said.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, was speaking to reporters after visiting the fourth roundabout site at the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, today (Jan 5).
Also present were Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos, Public Works Department (JKR) director Richard Tajan and a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officer.
Uggah apologised to residents for the traffic congestion over the past few days and assured that feedback would be looked into to ensure smoother traffic.
“With the coming Chinese New Year celebration, we are expecting an increase in number of people coming to Kuching.
“We are monitoring what’s going on daily and will respond to any arising issues,” he added.
Earlier, JKR said in a statement that the project is ahead of schedule, with physical progress at 48 percent as of December 2022 and is expected to be completed by November.
In July 2022, a rescue contractor was hired to continue work on converting five roundabouts along the Kuching-SamarahanExpressway into traffic lights intersections.
The construction activity now has reached the critical phase of laying the sub-base/road-base at the fourth roundabout (Samajaya).
“Due to the rough surface, the smoothness of the traffic flow has been badly affected causing congestion throughout the five roundabouts.
“To mitigate the traffic congestion during peak hours, JKR has instructed the contractor to carry out premix works at night,” the department said.
The laying of premix at the fourth roundabout (Samajaya) is expected to be completed by tomorrow (Jan 6).
