KUCHING: After years of recurrent flooding that has disrupted traffic and frustrated road users, the long-awaited upgrade of the Jalan Musi-Buso stretch is now underway – and authorities say it will finally put an end to the persistent inundation around the Jalan Buso junction.
The Jalan Musi-Buso Upgrading Project, awarded by the Public Works Department (PWD) to Primaces Sdn Bhd, involves major improvements to drainage, road elevation, and water-flow channels at the Jalan Buso junction that have long struggled to cope with heavy rainfall.
The low-lying area near the Buso-Bau junction had over recent years acted as a catchment point for runoff from nearby hills.
During intense downpours, water gushes toward the junction, filling up the blocked water channel, resulting in the formation of lake that floods the road surface, forcing traffic diversions.
Deputy Transport Minister and Tasik Biru state assemblyman, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, said the new upgrade package would directly target the problem at the junction.
He assured that the flooding problem at the junction of Jalan Buso would be resolved under the Jalan Musi-Buso-Buso junction upgrading project.
“The thing is this: there was an outlet passing through the main road, going to the housing on the other side of Kuching-Bau Road.
“When the developer developed the land, they covered the outlet. So whenever heavy rains occur, water filled up the area, causing flood on the junction.
“The area was never flooded before but after the housing project on the other side completed, water started to fill up the area and caused flooding,” he said.
The blockage at the outlet is believed to have caused water to accumulate in the area, which eventually turned it into a scene that looks like a pond or a lake.
On actions to be taken to resolve the problem, Henry said they leave it to the PWD engineer to think about it.
“We have put the problem plaguing the Buso junction under the Jalan Musi-Buso-Buso Junction upgrading project.
“The scopes of this project also include a solution to get rid of the flooding at the junction. I believed the engineer had designed something to resolve the flooding area,” he added.
“All I can say is, we already have a way or idea to resolve the problem once and for all. We don’t leave it there. It may take time but surely it will be resolved.”
Henry said there is definitely going to be an outlet to channel out the water from the area because the Kuching-Bau Road itself is going to be a dual-carriage way.
“The dual-carriageway plus the Jalan Buso junction upgrading project would certainly put an end to the existing problem. So lets leave it the engineer to resolve it,” he added.
A section of Jalan Buso junction always become impassable for days after heavy downpours due to stagnant flood water until the authority pump the water out.
Road users have to use the alternative Jalan Jugan Buso to reach the village and nearby areas.
Beyond the issue at the junction, the proposed upgrading of Jalan Musi-Buso-Simpang Buso, Bau, is poised to bring major improvements to road safety, traffic flow, and regional accessibility in the area and Bau at large.
The project is expected to involve extensive improvements and elevation works along the Musi-Buso-Simpang Buso corridor.
The work scope of the proposed road, which would be constructed in accordance with a two-lane single carriageway of R3 standard, will also include two concrete bridges, the widening and strengthening of the roadway, the upgrading of its pavement structure, and improving works on safety features such as drainage systems, shoulders, road signage, and intersections.
Meanwhile, the state government has approved over RM500 million for Phase 2 of the Jalan Bau Lama upgrade project, which will transform the existing road into a dual carriageway to complement the Pan Borneo Highway.
Henry said the proposed project, which is waiting for tender award and implementation, will cover the Kuching-Bau Road stretch from the traffic light near Bau District Police office to Batu Kitang.
