| James Kon |
TO EASE traffic congestion at the Mentiri Roundabout, the Ministry of Development (MoD) is constructing a new stretch connecting Tanah Jambu main road (at the Muara road intersection) and Mentiri main road, said the Minister of Development, YB Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar.
The project is part of the National Development Plan for road network systems and is being implemented in phases based on the provided provisions.
He was responding to a query on traffic congestion at the Mentiri main road during peak hours by Legislative Council (LegCo) member YB Pengiran Haji Mohamed bin Pengiran Haji Osman @ Othman at the 14th LegCo session yesterday.
YB Pengiran Haji Mohamed also suggested that traffic lights be installed at the Mentiri Roundabout.
The minister said that Phase 1 of the road project involved the construction of a flyover bridge at the Mentiri main road intersection, which was completed in 2014.
Phase 2 involved the construction of the two-kilometre road; this phase is included in the 11th National Development Plan and runs through an area next to the RPN Kampong Mengkubau. Tender for Phase 2 has been completed and construction will start in the middle of this year, he added.
Speaking on the installation of traffic lights at the Mentiri Roundabout, the minister said, “A study was conducted on the need and suitability of installing traffic lights. The number of vehicles during peak hours was found to be very high with the roundabout unable to accommodate the volume.
“To install traffic lights, a bigger roundabout is required. The Mentiri Roundabout is not big enough and if it is to be enlarged, private houses and lands will be affected,” he added. “This will incur high expenditures; the installation of traffic lights cannot be done at the moment. But with the completion of the Tanah Jambu-Mentiri road project, it is hoped that traffic congestion at the Mentiri Roundabout will be lessened,” he added.