KUCHING: A RM400m interchange will be built to ease severe congestion in Batu 8 area especially during peak hours.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the interchange construction project is scheduled to begin next year if preliminary works can be completed by the end of this year.
On being alerted to the congestion problem he, along with the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), had held a meeting with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to discuss this matter.
He explained that he had proposed to Abang Johari about the construction of an interchange in the area to facilitate vehicle movement, especially during peak hours.
“Initially, the roundabout at Batu 8 was not included in the Pan Borneo Highway project, and now it is experiencing severe congestion throughout the day.
“As such, when we presented and proposed this, it was agreed upon by the Premier, and he directed us to focus on addressing the issue at Batu 8,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after hosting a Gawai Dayak Open House at his residence here on Sunday (June 23).
To date, the ministry has identified several areas in Sarawak categorised as ‘red lines’ with a cumulative distance of 136 kilometres.
“We still have several million in savings from the Pan Borneo Highway project, and we will use the remaining funds to address the ‘red line’ issues, with specific focus now given to constructing the interchange road at Batu 8,” he added.
