By Rachel Mina
KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman Lo Khere Chiang has urged contractors to postpone the closure of the traffic light junction in Mile 6 here.
According to him, the closure of the road by the Public Works Department (JKR) was to give way for the reconstruction of the pavement for the Pan Borneo Highway project and this would affect the Kuching to Serian route.
Lo said the closure would cause a huge problem and inconvenience to road users.
“The Mile 7 and Mile 10 routes have not been settled yet…if they also close the Mile 6 route, a severe jam will happen as 40 to 50,000 cars use this road daily. In addition, the Tapang road is already jammed as it is.
“Hence, I appealed to the contractors that they must first open the Mile 7 route and ensure the road near the traffic light there is accessible before proceeding with the closure.”
He said this during a visit to Mile 6 on Tuesday (Sept 28).
Fortunately, he revealed that the contractors had agreed to open the Mile 7 route in two weeks’ time, expected to be mid-October.
“I’m voicing out on the matter as a wakil rakyat and the area is under MPP. Many of the residents will be affected, especially those travelling the Kuching to Serian road.”
In the meantime, Lo also commented on the ongoing Mile 6 flyover project.
“The project is also under JKR, the flyover is expected to be completed next year.”