SIBU: Sarawak DAP deputy chairman David Wong inspected a portion of the Sibu airport road affected by the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway.
The inspection yesterday was to iron out some of the safety and operational issues.
Wong pointed out that the stretch from the airport interchange towards the airport was not safe at night due to insufficient street lighting.
“Futhermore, the project has been delayed for quite some time and the people are frustrated having to put up with the delay as well as the lack of safety features.”
In response, the contractor explained that they had installed 30 solar energy streetlights along the diversion as per the contract agreement. They had also agreed to install more based on corporate social responsibility.
Wong also pointed out that the 600m road from the airport to the airport interchange was too dangerous after the contractor closed one of two lanes due to the construction of a drainage culvert.
“This creates something like an F1 race circuit for road users because they have to switch from lane to lane along that stretch and this poses a grave danger to them, especially when it rains.”
The contractor added that they would speed up work to enable them to open up the whole two lanes by this October.
Another issue highlighted by Wong was the stretch from the airport interchange to Sibu town that was closed to road users traveling to the town centre – they have to share the opposite lane with those traveling in the opposite direction instead.
The contractor explained that the road was cordoned off due to the construction of a culvert and that they would open up the road by next Monday.
Wong reiterated that any government project must meet the basic requirements that safeguard the interests of the general public and priority must be the safety issue followed by timely completion of the project so as not to cause inconvenience to the general public.
He thanked the contractor for their commitment to complete the remaining works in time as well as their willingness to address the shortcomings that were brought up.
