Traffic jams in Kota Samarahan still a tough job for council

KOTA SAMARAHAN: While the traffic congestion issue at the roundabout near the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) here remains challenging, the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) and Public Works Department (PWD) are doing their best to minimise the disruption caused by ongoing construction work.
 
MPKS chairman Datuk Peter Minos said the council has been working tirelessly to solve the traffic jam problem since 2017, and while progress has been made, it remains a challenging issue.
 
As the PWD is responsible for implementing the traffic light project, he said MPKS can only meet with and talk to the PWD to help out on the projects.
 
However, Minos emphasised that some disturbance and delays are unavoidable during such construction projects.
 
“The contractor is rushing to complete works inside the INTAN roundabout, so there is a traffic disturbance nearby.
 
“It’s pretty unavoidable and inevitable,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune.
 
He was asked to comment on the traffic congestion issue that has plagued Kota Samarahan in recent days.
 
He acknowledged that the improvement work at roundabouts, such as the ones in Tabuan Tranquility and Stutong, often creates disruptions to the original traffic flow.
 
Therefore, he asserted, commuters’ understanding and patience are critical during these periods.
 
Minos further said that the current project at the INTAN roundabout is expected to be completed by November this year, and the contractor is working day and night to finish the work before the deadline.
 
He expressed confidence in the contractor’s ability to complete the work on time, barring any delays from sporadic rains.
 
Meanwhile, the chairman pointed out that once a road user enters the INTAN roundabout, there is no alternative road or diversion available.
 
However, he said PWD is constructing a new road from Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa to the airport, which will provide an alternative route to Kuching.
 
On the same note, Minos thanked the enforcement for their efforts in regulating traffic at peak hours in the roundabout area.
 
“Police have been helping at peak hours to regulate traffic at the intersections. The police have been very good and helpful. We really thank them,” he added.
 
Commenting further, he assured the public that MPKS is using all channels available to keep them informed about the ongoing project, including social media and communication with staff and residents.
 
In this light, Minos said that with the completion of five traffic lights at the five roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan expressway, he is confident that people will no longer face traffic congestion issues.
 
He added that, as seen with the Tabuan Tranquility and Stutong traffic lights, people will soon be saying “thank you” instead of criticising the work done by MPKS and PWD.
 
“Some apologised for the harsh words when the projects were in progress creating the jams.
 
“I believe that when the five traffic lights at the five roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan expressway are completed, people will not hit us left and right anymore but will feel happy and relieved. I’m sure of that,” he said.