KUCHING: The infrastructure in the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) jurisdiction will undergo significant improvements to support the area’s expanding population.
In stressing this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was part of the state’s long-term plans whereby road widening and improving road connectivity in the area are at the top of the agenda.
“We will build a dual carriageway road from the Sarawak Foundation roundabout directly to Pantai Damai. It will consist of four lanes, with a special lane for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, along with lanes designated for bicycles and pedestrians,” he said.
He said this in his speech when officiating at the Friendly Neighbourhood (KJM) Dinner at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building here last night (Feb 7).
The Premier said the road upgrade will indirectly encourage DBKU residents to utilise the upcoming ART services, thereby alleviating traffic congestion and provide reliable routes to the developing areas in DBKU.
“This is because the ART serves as a route from the airport, transitioning into the city route, and will continue to Damai, including Bandar Baru Samariang. This means we will be connecting residential areas with the ART.
“Furthermore, we have built a bridge crossing the Santubong River. In the future, we will seek funding to develop this road further. It will veer towards Buntal, and we will build another road from Buntal to Bako. This will create a new route,” he said.
With the improved connectivity, Abang Johari said it will also open up new areas to develop housing schemes.
He said upon completion of the roads, it will allow the state government to develop more residential zones to address the expanding population, ultimately leading to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“If our state’s prosperity increases, the people can enjoy development with a more sustainable and beautified DBKU area,” he said.
Also present were Premier’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environment Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Tupong Assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Satok Assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki and DBKU Mayor Hilmy Othman.
