KUCHING: A pedestrian bridge has been proposed along Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi here for a safer and more convenient crossing.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said discussions on the bridge began months earlier, with formal proposals submitted to the relevant authorities.
“Management had discussed this some time back. Apart from improving traffic in the area, we proposed a pedestrian bridge in the area.
“So, we wrote to the federal ministry and Public Works Department (PWD) and they have referred the case over to Kuching side.
“We have received a letter from PWD here to put up our view. Since it is a protocol road where both MBKS and Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) share jurisdiction over the area, both councils are quite agreeable to have the pedestrian bridge,” he said.
He said this to Sarawak Tribune in response to a question about safety measures following a road accident involving a pedestrian along Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi here on May 1.
Wee said that unfortunately, the accident had occurred before the bridge could materialise.
“I have spoken to the PWD (Sarawak) director, who is now looking into temporary safety measures while the planning and budgeting for the bridge is being worked out,” he said.
He added that the location, landing points, and funding are all factors that must be carefully considered before construction can begin.
“We regret that the accident had happened. And we hoped the matter can be solved soon so that we can actually connect both sides and there is a more safety way of crossing over,” he said.
Currently there is already a traffic light intersection in front of the condominium complex, podium and whether pedestrian traffic lights would be installed in the area, Wee said.
“We will wait for PWD Sarawak to decide because that is a protocol road.
“However, whatever PWD Sarawak decides, MBKS will not object,” he said.
Meanwhile, concerns over pedestrian safety have been raised after foreign woman in her 40s was hit by a car while crossing the road in front of the Podium at about 8.40 pm on May 1.
Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the vehicle involved was a Perodua Kelisa driven by a local man in his 30s, who was heading from the Batu 3 roundabout towards Jalan Satok when the collision occurred.
The woman sustained injuries to her face, left arm, and leg, and was taken to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for treatment.
