SRI AMAN: Major existing roads in Simanggang Town will be upgraded into dual carriageways to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the dual carriageway project is in addition to other road and bridge infrastructure projects undertaken by the state government.
“It is hoped that this (dual carriageway project in Simanggang Town) will be completed by 2025 or 2026 so that the area will be less congested,” he said at the 20th edition of the Sri Aman Tidal Bore Festival closing ceremony at the Waterfront on Sunday (Oct 1).
Earlier, Abang Johari said he had driven from Kuching all the way to Sri Aman and that the journey along the Pan Borneo Highway was quite smooth.
“There is an increase of cars and motorcycles in this area and this means that domestic tourism is increasing.
“So thanks to the federal government and Public Works Department (PWD), although some parts of the Pan Borneo Highway are still being completed,” he said.
He said the state has set up the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) to accelerate the developments and boost the economy of the areas under SADA.
“How to boost the economy in Sri Aman? We look at the strength of Sri Aman and that is why my colleagues and I made the decision to improve the road connectivity to Sri Aman.
“There are two entry points into Sri Aman – through the Pan Borneo Highway and the other one is the Second Trunk Road.
“Other cities in the state do not have two entry points. Simanggang has two. What does this mean? We are opening up the surrounding area for development and also want to improve electricity and water supply,” he said.
With all these developments in place, Abang Johari said Simanggang will also be a modern agriculture area.
“We have also identified that the Simanggang area can grow paddy and produce rice and thus the agriculture sector must focus on commercial farming and no longer subsistence farming,” he said.
Abang Johari said next is to focus on talent development where talents are trained to utilise new technology.
“This is the reason why the state supports the establishment of the Sarawak Skills (Campus) in Sri Aman,” he said.
Towards this end Abang Johari said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government walks the talk and makes sure whatever promises made are fulfilled.
Later, the Premier also officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed construction and completion of the Sarawak Second Trunk Road Package B2a project which will see the upgrading of major existing roads in Simanggang Town.
The project worth RM60,905,550 is expected to commence from Oct 6, 2023 until April 5, 2026.
PWD Sarawak is the implementing agency of the project, while KTA(Sarawak) Sdn Bhd acts as the consultant, and Golden Throne Construction Sdn Bhd as the contractor.
