THE Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at a cost of RM380 million is currently in the detailed design stage.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Masing, the BRT to cover major road networks in Kuching would have nine stations.
In his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday, Masing said the project was one of the key development project under the 2012 study of Kuching’s urban traffic.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Dvelopment and Transportation, told the august House that the study recommended an Inner Ring Road to alleviate traffic congestion in the Central Business District (CBD) of the inner city.
An Outer Ring Road was also proposed to encourage urban and economic growth expansion from CDB outwards for the next 10 years.
The minister also told the sitting that the State Public Transport Authority (PTA) would be formed to take the role of Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), which has no authority in the state.
Masing also informed the House that in the pipeline was the widening of the road from Matang Jaya to Matang/Batu Kawa link junction to become a dual carriageway under the 11th Malaysian Plan (11MP) at an estimated RM55 million and an initial ceiling of RM20 million.
“The design for the project has been completed and my ministry will seek an increase in the project ceiling under the mid-term review to commence physical construction,” he said.
On the Bau-Batu Kitang Road, Masing said Public Works Department (JKR) would study the proposal to upgrade the road for submission under the mid-term review.