The Sibu Airport Interchange project, which is part of the Pan-Borneo Highway, has opened to motorists beginning at 6 pm today to provide a smooth traffic flow to those heading back to their longhouses for Gawai, a main community celebration in Sarawak.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said despite having exceeded the contract period of its completion, the construction of the interchange project, being one of the pivotal parts of the highway project, was finally completed.
“Those coming from Bintulu to Sibu Aiport and vice versa can now use the flyover (at the interchange) and this will smoothen their journey as they do not have to use the roundabout like before. This is good news to those going back to their longhouses for this Gawai,” he told reporters after visiting the project today.
Works on the Sibu Airport Interchange which started in mid-2017 was initially delayed due to the soft ground conditions in the area where the contractor had to treat a large area near the roundabout leading to an extra quantum of work.
“Instead of proceeding with the construction work based on the original drawings, the contractor had to treat the ground (works) first by doing piled embankment to stabilise the road foundation, involving a 45.6 km (stretch from the) Sibu Airport Interchange to Sungai Kua section, costing RM950 million,” he added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency