Saving on fuel, time and distance
Published on: Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: The RM600-metre dual carriageway tunnel at Jalan Terowong Sepanggar, here, costing RM81.5million to be officially opened on Saturday will cut travelling distance by 7km or 15 minutes.It was a Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) project under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and implemented by the Public Works Department with construction starting on Oct 28, 2010. Carried out by Syarikat Pembinaan Azam Jaya and Perunding Pertama, it was completed on June 14, 2015 – almost five years in the making.
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The stretch will be an alternative road and a shortcut which connects Kota Kinabalu to the Sepanggar Bay area where the Sepanggar Port, Sepanggar Naval Base and manufacturing industries are located. "The opening of the tunnel proves another achievement and success of Sabah's infrastructure development implemented by Barisan Nasional under the SDC," said Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Musa said the Government always strives to implement a comprehensive and balanced development agenda, which includes increasing the development of infrastructure and connectivity in an area.
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"In this context, the opening of the tunnel will further boost the State's economy activity, particularly in manufacturing, logistic services and support for export and import operations. "At the same time, the tunnel will make the area more competitive. The facility would be able to shorten the freight forwarding of goods to the port while at the same time accelerate the operation and movement of the container in line with the plan to expand the port," he said.
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Besides, it would reduce traffic congestion and travel will be more organised according to destination. "The industrial sector as well as Small and Medium Enterprises can also save time and travel costs thus creating a more conducive economic environment." Musa said the State Government is always concerned about development of Sepanggar area. "We are intensifying efforts to encourage investments into the area because of its strategic position and its environment suitable for heavy industry development.""Sepanggar is undergoing modernisation which will require efficient road infrastructure facilities to accommodate the increase in traffic in the area. "Under Sedia, there will be more road improvement programmes to be implemented to support development in the area. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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