Tawau: The Federal Government has approved RM420 million to construct dual-carriageways in Tawau and Semporna. Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said the project which is divided into three packages would see the first road upgrades along the road from the Tawau Airport up to the Check Point Roundabout in Semporna. Package two would be from Semporna town up to Kunak roundabout while package three would involve the construction of the connecting roads linking both the packages.
He said the project is currently in the planning stage by the appointed consulting firm and will commence by end of the year or early next year.
"The project will take about 24 months to complete," he said after launching a safety seminar and launching of the Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the Kaamatan celebrations. He said the project was rolled out as part of the Government's efforts to reduce road accidents, especially in the east coast which is reported to have the highest number due to the poor structure of the road and always used by heavy vehicles.
Pang said the Government would compensate private land owners if the roads encroach their lands.
Priority would be given to the construction of the Jalan Utara-Jambatan Putih, Jalan Air Panas-Sin Onn Tiku which would cost about RM240 million, following the completion of the Kalabakan-Sapulut road work next year.
He said it is because road users travelling from and to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu would be dependent on the road.
"The short cut will be given priority for completion to avoid congestion in the township area ... if there are parties who think this is a waste of money it is because they are narrow minded," he said.
On the seminar, Pang urged road users to think of their safety and others during the upcoming celebrations.
