I strongly believe JKR Sarawak must have an emergency meeting with all main contractors and even sub-contractors of the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway to properly plan out proper traffic management during the whole period of the construction to try address the traffic congestion that it has caused.
JKR Sarawak, which is under the purview of the Sarawak Government, as the project implementer has the responsibility to monitor and scrutinise the performance and work of the contractors, which includes traffic management during the project itself.
While some congestion or inconvenience is expected during the project itself, it cannot be as bad as it is now, which only reflects a lack of proper planning including providing alternative routes for road users or even engaging traffic personnel to control traffic flow.
All of these should have been anticipated since the beginning and a clear traffic control plan or diversion during the construction on top of construction SOP and requirements including working off-peak hours should have been done and imposed upon the contractors before the project started.
That is why it is disappointing to receive confirmation from the Minister that construction works in the area had been temporarily stopped during the recent Christmas and New Year holiday.
Such period is supposedly the best time to do all the main and heavy works on the area as road and traffic usage will be less due to holidays and no urgent necessity to travel for work or school.
That is why I urge for a clear traffic control plan including if possible providing possible alternative routes during the construction itself.
They cannot ask the public to just be patient without proper plans and alternatives provided for them.
A clear timeline must also be communicated frequently and periodically so that public are aware and able to make necessary preparations on top of scruitinising the project itself to ensure it finishes on time without any more further delays.