HERE TO ASSIST: DBKU traffic warden controlling traffic at Medan Niaga Satok yesterday.
KUCHING: The state government plans to turn the road from newly-minted Medan Niaga Satok to Satok Bridge into a four-lane carriageway this year.
This proposed expansion, which is estimated to cost RM5 million, would facilitate a smoother traffic flow to and from Medan Niaga Satok.
“The expansion will mean that road users will have an alternative route apart from using the entrance road from Gita,” Minister of
Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg told reporters after visiting Medan Niaga Satok’s Sunday Market yesterday.
He added that the proposed road would pass underneath Satok Bridge before heading to Jalan Kulas on the opposite side of the river via the bridge.
Yesterday marked the first Sunday Market of Medan Niaga Satok, a RM46.6 million facility built to replace the wet market in Satok.
Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Tourism and Satok assemblyman, said all relevant plans had been forwarded to the State Planning Unit to acquire a piece of land which would be turned into a parking lot for visitors.
This, he stressed, would solve the parking woes in Medan Niaga Satok and also ease traffic flow woes.
“The parking lot would also help entice traffic towards Gita, so there will be alternative routes from there. We are looking at all possibilities.”
On his visit, Abang Johari, who toured the market together with Petra Jaya MP Datuk Fadillah Yusuf, said customers and visitors were very happy with Medan Niaga Satok.
“People need to understand that there might be some issues arising, but we will rectify it as we progress.”
On another matter, Abang Johari said a group of hotel management personnel visited him last week to discuss the possibility of a package for tourists and hotel guests.
“They were suggesting a river cruise to Medan Niaga Satok where they can shop and have breakfast here. We will arrange a unique package as they (hotel management) had realised the big potential of Medan Niaga Satok.”