Ongoing projects in Sarawak under the purview of the Ministry of Works are slightly behind schedule.

This was disclosed by its minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who said one of the projects is the four-lane road from the roundabout near E-mart Matang towards Stapok, Batu Kawah which is currently 93 per cent completed.

“Though the project is slightly behind schedule, right now it looks like they (contractors) are catching up,” he told reporters when met after presenting some financial contributions to Tupong constituency residents at At-Taqwa Mosque here yesterday.

The Petra Jaya MP also noted that based on the report from the state Public Works Department (JKR), his ministry has decided to extend the time frame of the project.

“There are several factors that contribute to this extension of time such as the conversion of utility, events such as the last Sukma which did not permit vehicles to use roads in the area and so on.”

Fadillah also gave an update on the section of the Pan Borneo Highway project between Mile 10 of Jalan Kuching-Serian to Mile 15.

“This project is right now at 51 per cent completion and roughly three per cent behind schedule due to factors that are slightly complicated such as the utilities as well as traffic flow which is rather congested.

“Nevertheless, we are monitoring this closely,” he said.

He added that the Samarahan Bridge is now 69 per cent complete while the Sungai Rimbas Bridge in Pusa is currently at around 93 per cent completion.

On new projects from the 2nd Rolling Plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan, Fadillah said projects such as the flyover at Jalan Medan Jaya-Jalan Tun Hussein Onn in Bintulu are currently in the process of appointing consultants whereas the Batang Igan Bridge project is still in the process of value management and value engineering.

Meanwhile, when asked on what could be done to ease traffic congestion during the construction of four flyovers from Mile 4½ to Mile 10 of Kuching-Serian Road, Fadillah said standard operating procedures would be applied.

“When constructing roads, we have set guidelines, specifically traffic management programmes (TMPs) to reduce inconvenience to road users and to determine that the safety level is good.

“But at the same time, we also hope that road users understand that whenever there is construction, there will be temporary inconvenience and discomfort. This is why they have to follow the directions and whatever notices that are issued from time to time so as to facilitate the traffic flow and  reduce congestion,” he advised.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Marilyn Ten

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]