KUALA LUMPUR: The land subsidence which occurred on part of the Pan Borneo Highway project under construction on Monday will not affect the project, said Deputy Works Minister Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir.
He said the Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) had taken proactive measures to ensure that the same problem did not recur and disrupt the smooth running of the project, scheduled to be completed in 2020.
“The incident will not delay the construction process of the project as we will resolve it immediately,“ he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Pantai Sentral Interchange near the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) today.
Also present was Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Ahmad Fahmi Mohammed Fadzil, Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Sr Aziz Abdullah, Amona Group Chief Executive Officer Che Hasnadi Che Hassan and IJM Corporation Berhad Managing Director and CEO Datuk Soam Heng Choon.
The media reported on Tuesday that a land subsidence incident occurred 4.45pm causing part of the road at Km48 of Bintulu-Tatau Road to be severely damaged, besides affecting traffic flow in the area.
Meanwhile, commenting on the opening of the new interchange that connects the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Lembah Pantai area, Mohd Anuar said he was confident the route will reduce traffic congestion problems.
“The new route directly benefits road users from the direction of Pantai Dalam and Kerinchi going to NPE without having to go through the traffic lights at Jalan Bukit Angkasa, Jalan Kerinchi, Jalan Pantai Murni and Jalan Pantai Permai 1.
“The interchange will also improve traffic flow in the surrounding areas by cutting short the usual travelling time from 50 minutes to 30 minutes during peak hours,“ he said in his speech.
The project, costing RM98 million, provides a 2.8km interchange involving three ramps providing vital entry and exit points for highway users and motorists from the surrounding area.
— Bernama
