KOTA SAMARAHAN: Traffic congestion experienced by the people of Samarahan is a result of the rapid development boom in the area.
Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Rubiah Wang said Kota Samarahan - the education hub of Sarawak - is no longer a small town but has turned into a network centre connecting the coast and Sarawak's capital, Kuching.
"It should be viewed positively as it will lead to more significant changes, and is only a short-term inconvenience.
"We have plans on how best to deal with the situation, including creating alternative routes and improving Datuk Mohamad Musa Street, which will be diverted to Pan Borneo," she said at Kota Samarahan Suarah hall following the nomination process.
In the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15), Rubiah will compete against Abang Abdul Halil Abang Naili of Parti Amanah Negara.
She went on to explain that in addition to modernising the roundabout with traffic lights, a 7km detour from Kota Samarahan to Sejingkat was also considered as an alternative.
"We intend to further enhance and modernise public transportation in a year or two with the Autonomous Rapid Transit project. At the end of this month, work on the first station will start in Kampung Rembus," she said.
She said relevant authorities are monitoring the traffic congestion while building alternative roads particularly around Stakan and the ones leading to the airport.
Another alternative to ease the traffic, she said, was to divert and shorten the shortcut to the Maranek junction.
"At the same time, we have requested cooperation from enforcement authorities in Kota Samarahan, particularly the police, to assist and coordinate traffic flow during peak times.
"Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will further transform Kota Samarahan in the next five years. Planning is underway, and the completion period will follow the phases," she said.
