Lok Kawi Road Upgrade To Improve Papar–Kota Kinabalu Traffic Flow – Armizan

PAPAR, May 4 (Bernama) -- Efforts to improve traffic flow along the Papar–Kota Kinabalu route are being strengthened with the immediate implementation of the Jalan Lok Kawi upgrading project, stretching from the Sabindo Roundabout to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kinarut here.

The announcement was made by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister as well as Papar Member of Parliament Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who said the project has commenced and is expected to be completed by March 29, 2028.

He said the project is among the key infrastructure developments long awaited by local residents, with the Letter of Acceptance having come into effect on March 30, while the symbolic handover to the contractor was held today.

“Travel from Papar to Kota Kinabalu should take around 40 minutes, but currently it can take between one and a half to two hours even outside peak hours. Therefore, this project is the solution to that problem, and the government has allocated the necessary funds,” he told reporters after a briefing on the status of key infrastructure projects in the Papar parliamentary constituency at the Papar District Office here today.

He said the project involves widening the road from a two-lane carriageway to a dual four-lane road, in addition to the construction of pedestrian flyovers, installation of street lighting and traffic lights, and the upgrading of three roundabouts into signalised intersections.

Armizan said the project scope also includes the construction of three bus stops and two motorcycle lay-bys, covered walkways to schools, as well as utility relocation works and land acquisition.

He said the project is funded by the Ministry of Works and implemented under the supervision of the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR).

According to him, among the immediate priorities are resolving land acquisition issues involving 43 lots and 24 existing structures, as well as the relocation of utilities such as electricity, water and telecommunications.

“I do not want delays in resolving these fundamental matters to prevent physical works from commencing promptly,” he said.

He added that efforts to realise the project began in 2021 when he was serving in the Sabah Chief Minister’s Office, before it was listed as a Federal Government development project in 2023.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also announced the implementation of the project during a working visit to Kinarut, Papar on May 31, 2023.

At the briefing, he said the project is part of four key infrastructure projects discussed involving elected representatives as well as federal and state government agencies.

In addition to the Lok Kawi road upgrade, the other three projects given attention are the construction of the Jalan Pengalat-Papar bypass, the building of SMK Gana Papar, and the proposed construction of Papar Bridge 2 at Kilometre 20.4.

-- BERNAMA