Get moving on building bypass road in Kota Sentosa, Chong tells JKR S’wak

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Source: 《The Borneo Post》

The Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak has been called upon to utilise a federal allocation of RM20 million to implement the construction of a new access road to link Stampin Resettlement Scheme and Kota Sentosa.

Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the federal government had approved RM129,700,000 for the construction of the new link road, meant to address traffic woes at Mile 6, 7 and 8 by offering motorists an alternative route.

“According to the Ministry of Finance, RM20 million has been allocated this year to build the new bypass road in Kota Sentosa area.

“Even though the project is a federal one, the implementing agency is JKR Sarawak,” he told a press conference here yesterday, adding that the role of the federal JKR was just supervisory.

“As such, I call upon the state JKR to implement this project. So far, I have not heard from the state JKR on the tender,” said Chong, who is Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister.

He said if the allocated federal funds were not used, the money would be returned to the consolidated account.

“It is now August, and the tender should (have been) called earlier. I don’t know why JKR Sarawak did not speedily carry out the project.

“But we will follow up on this matter,” he added.

Chong, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman, asserted that the new link road was a very appropriate project given that it would greatly ease the daily traffic congestion in the area.

He disclosed that the project comprised the construction of three major components, namely Jalan A1, Jalan A2 and Jalan A3, and that the project’s design was approved on Dec 3 last year.

For Jalan A1, the work scope includes the construction of a two-way road of U5 JKR Standard spanning 2.25km; the construction of two concrete bridges crossing Sungai Sangkoh and Sungai Semengo; acquisition of land and relocation of utilities.

Jalan A2 involves the upgrading of the road from R3 to U5 JKR Standard, spanning 4.54km.

Jalan A3 is the construction of a new U5 JKR Standard road spanning 0.52km to link Jalan A2 with Kota Sentosa.

It also comprises acquisition of land, relocation of utilities and improvement of traffic junction.

Present with Chong at the press conference were Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong and Chong’s special assistant Sim Kiat Leng.

Source: 《The Borneo Post》