Pan Borneo Highway, coastal road to be upgraded in stages

2

Ahmad Lai Bujang

MIRI: The government plans to construct overtaking lanes along the Pan Borneo Highway and upgrade the Miri-Bintulu coastal road in stages.

Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang told The Borneo Post yesterday that this could be considered good news as it would smoothen traffic flow and, hopefully, minimise road accidents.

He added that he had also proposed to the federal government to widen the roads because at present an accident or vehicle breakdown would result in traffic congestion.

“Widening the roads would also enable motorists to pull to the side of the road should their vehicle break down or for changing of tyres. That way they do not have to be stuck virtually at the middle of the road for repairs.”

Ahmad Lai also spoke of the need for the authorities concerned to give priority to the upgrading of damaged and dangerous road stretches along the Pan Borneo Highway.

“All dangerous bends and narrow roads should be upgraded so that our objective of reducing road accidents can be achieved.”

“I brought up the issue of the Pan Borneo Highway in Parliament and the government said it would upgrade the highway from time to time until 2015.”

On the Miri-Bintulu coastal road, Ahmad Lai said it needed to be upgraded as it was very prone to accidents.

He said most of the accidents which occurred there were mostly due to uneven or sinking roads.

“Most of the accidents occurred at straight lanes and sharp bends between Kampung Hangus and Kampung Bakam. This area has been labelled as an accident ‘hot spot’ area.”

Ahmad Lai also urged the police and the Road Transportation Department (RTD) to take stern action against lorry drivers who parked at the sides of narrow roads for they pose a danger to all vehicles, especially small ones.

It is understood that the government has allocated RM423 million for the upgrading of the Pan Borneo Highway, which spanned 2,230km from Sarawak right up to Sabah. This includes RM100 million for the construction of overtaking lanes.