KUCHING: The suggestion for an elevated highway from Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN) in Kota Samarahan to Stutong in Kuching is a solution to beat the ever increasing traffic congestion.
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) Kuching branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok said the natural progression of growth in any town or city will involve more amenities to be built to support the growth.
With two universities and a few institutions of higher learning in Kota Samarahan, he said the population there including students is always growing.
“There are ample available for growth and expansion. Kota Samarahan is very close to Kuching and it is supporting the residential needs of Kuchingnites or as suburban of Kuching.
“The population growth rate in Kota Samarahan is among the highest in Sarawak and this can be seen with the new developments there,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Sim said apart from the possible elevated expressway, the state government has embarked on the road expansion at Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, new road to Aeroville from Jalan Datuk Muhammad Musa, new coastal road from Samarahan Bridge to join up under construction of Bako new bridge.
He said these new roads will open more areas for development and more alternative routes from Samarahan.
“Traffic congestion is a sign of growing population. With the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) and five new smart traffic lights, we can expect smooth traffic flow to and from Kota Samarahan.
“The traffic congestion will be reduced until the population grows and more developments are completed in Kota Samarahan. Then, we would have various alternative routes and new areas of development,” he said.
To construct an elevated expressway, Sim said the biggest challenge would be the disruptions to traffic similar to the conversion of the roundabouts to traffic light junctions.
“However, if a new highway is being constructed away from the existing road then the challenges would be less.
“Of course, learning from other cities we can control the volume of traffic by imposing congestion charges, penalise single occupant car and put into the system the odd or even number of car day that can use the highway,” he added.
