AWAITING FEDERAL FUND: Liew briefing Manyin (right) on the condition of the road. Investigation is still underway to determine the cause of the road collapse.
KUCHING: It will take about a year to repair the 60 metres stretch of road at Mile 13, Jalan Matang near here, which collapsed on Tuesday evening due to soil erosion following a heavy downpour.
However, the project which is estimated cost of RM3 million could only start after the approval of a federal grant, said Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong when met after inspecting the road condition yesterday.
The Tebedu assemblyman added the state would apply for the fund from the federal government to do repair works as the affected road was under the maintenance of the federal authorities.
“The repair works could be completed within a year once the budget is approved and tender process to appoint the contractor has been carried out.
“The state will ensure that the road would be repaired as soon as possible to lessen the inconvenience of the people,” Manyin added.
Also present to brief the minister on the condition of the road collapse was state Public Works Department (PWD) deputy director (Asset Management) Liew Jiu Ming.
In the meantime, Manyin advised road users especially those going to the nearby Polytechnic institute, to use the new FAC (Federal Administrative Centre) alternative link road.
The other half of the road which is still intact and remained passable was open to traffic on Friday.
Several telephone poles had also collapsed and the Kuching Water Board and CMS Road Sdn Bhd are investigating the cause of the erosion.