Proper planning, not ad hoc work, needed in addressing bad roads in Sibu

SIBU (March 2): This town cannot continue to endure ‘patching problems’ when it comes to addressing degraded roads here.

In voicing this out, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch advisor Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck believed that comprehensive long-term master plan was necessary in maintaining good roads and also traffic flow.

“Sibu needs proper planning, not ad hoc work.

“We need a real roadmap for our roads, major routes, and transport system.

“Right now, it’s chaotic, especially during school hours – it’s traffic jam everywhere,” he said in a statement.

“Many roads are now so degraded that they have ‘turned back into gravel’.

“Parts of the bitumen are gone, and this isn’t at one or two places, it’s everywhere,” he lamented.

Soon said residents were fed up with having to dodge potholes and ‘crawling’ through daily traffic congestion, describing the situation as a clear sign of systemic failure by the authorities.

He pointed out that by now, Sibu should already have flyovers, sky bridges and wider roads.

“Many other towns have advanced infrastructures, but Sibu remains stuck.

“We should have at least one flyover by now. Even a sky bridge at busy intersections can help traffic and improve safety.

“Why are we so far behind?”

Soon recalled about a flyover being proposed to link the stretch from the Catholic High area to the main post office, several years ago, but this never materialised.

“Such ideas come and go because nobody is doing proper town-planning. There’s no dedicated planning unit.

“With the amount of money that Sarawak claims to have, Sibu should not be suffering like this.

“People are tired.

“Fix the basics. Start planning properly. Stop leaving Sibu behind,” he added.