KOTA SAMARAHAN: An elevated expressway from Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN) here to Stutong in Kuching has been suggested as the ultimate solution to the endless traffic congestion here.
Having taken various factors into account, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos thought this would complement the upcoming Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) and smart traffic lights along the Kuching-Kota Samarahan expressway.
“Of course, I believe that the ART will substantially reduce traffic congestion by 50 to 60 per cent. The council is pleased that the first phase of ART is taking place in Kota Samarahan.
“However, it must be accepted that traffic congestion will never be fully solved as the increasing population will result in an increase in the number of vehicles on the road,” he said while hosting a delegation from New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak yesterday (March 23).
Minos pointed out that people from Serian, Beratok, Siburan, Tapah and Batu 10 are passing through Kota Samarahan daily, thus contributing to the high number of vehicles here.
“In my opinion, I figured that an elevated expressway from INTAN to Stutong is a good idea to reduce or even eliminate the traffic congestion which in an ongoing headache for all including me.
“This idea, if implemented, would incur a great cost as well as contribute to bad traffic congestion while under construction. However, it would be a price worth paying for progress,” he said.
He hoped that some smart people in the government would agree to the idea and get it realised although the cost might be astronomical.
At the same time, he said, the ongoing installation of traffic lights at roundabouts along the Kuching-Kota Samarahan expressway will surely alleviate the traffic congestion.
“The installation of these lights is expected to be completed by November this year, so hopefully the traffic congestion problem will be significantly reduced,” he said.
Regarding the ART again, he added that it would have some impact on the population growth within Kota Samarahan because the facility is expected to attract more development and migration of people.
