SANDAKAN: The Public Works Department (PWD) is undertaking three projects to upgrade roads and ease traffic congestion in the district, according to Public Works Department (PWD) director Datuk John Anthony.
He said the projects, costing a total of RM367 million, are the upgrading of Labuk Road from the roundabout at Mile 8 to Mile 16, Labuk Road from Mile 16 to Mile 32, and Sibuga Road from the roundabout at Mile 5 at North Road to the roundabout at Sibuga Highway, to double-lane roads.
pgrading work on Labuk Road from the roundabout at Mile 8 to Mile 16 involves 12.2 kilometers and is expected to be completed next year despite a delay.
He said the appointed contractor faced several problems in upgrading the section of the road resulting in a delay but work was still proceeding.
Among the problems faced in widening the road involved laying electrical cables, water pipes and land owner disputes.
He hoped the parties concerned would give their cooperation to facilitate the road upgrading work to resolve the traffic congestion quickly for the people’s sake.
John said the government had allocated RM95 million to upgrade the road which is expected to be completed next year.
The construction of Labuk Road from Mile 16 to Mile 32, involving 13.5 kilometers, will be implemented upon allocation approval from the government,”he said.
He said the design of the twin lanes had been completed and PWD was now waiting for provision approval estimated at RM250 million.
The construction of a two-kilometer double-lane road from the roundabout at Mile 5, North Road to the roundabout at Sibuga Highway is estimated at RM22 million,” he said after officiating at the PWD Sports Carnival (state level) at Sandakan Sports Complex yesterday.
There are eight contingents participating in the two-day sports carnival that started yesterday until today (2 December). They are from Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Kudat, Pedalaman Atas, Pedalaman Bawah, North West Coast and Sandakan
Commenting on the sports carnival, John said sports would not only strengthen relationship among the PWD staff but also would improve their health.