Pan Borneo Highway Helps Reduce Congestion, Provides Spillover For Local Community

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The construction of the Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) from Putatan to Berungis, Tuaran, is expected to provide significant benefits and economic spillovers to local communities along the route.

Chairman of the Kampung Kolopis Development and Safety Committee in Penampang, Andrias Jubily, said the project will not only help ease traffic congestion but also shorten travel times, particularly for road users from the east and north coasts heading to Putatan and Sabah’s west coast.

He said that upon completion of the highway, the journey from Kolopis to Inanam would take only five minutes, from about an hour currently.

He said the construction of the LPB was timely, as traffic congestion in Penampang has worsened since the district was elevated to a municipality.

According to him, the LPB will also serve as an alternative route for motorists travelling from Putatan to Tuaran without having to pass through the often-congested municipality, especially during school holidays and festive seasons.

Meanwhile, Kampung Tindai Kolopis village head Verus Niun expressed hope that the completion of the LPB project would help boost the local economy.

“Hopefully, once the Putatan–Inanam route is completed, it will shorten travel distances and help ease traffic congestion. However, I also hope that road maintenance efforts will continue, particularly in terms of safety,” he said.

He advised motorists to adhere to the designated speed limits.

“This is, after all, a village area with schoolchildren and animals often crossing the road,” he told Bernama.

Kampung Sarapung Kolopis village head Peter Jipiu hoped that once the LPB construction is fully completed, attention would also be given to deepening and widening the rivers in the Kolopis area.

He said the area is frequently affected by floods, and improving the drainage system as well as widening the existing river could help minimise the impact of flooding.

“Our hope is that with a proper drainage system, the frequency of floods can be reduced. Whenever heavy rain lasts for two to three hours, flash floods are almost certain to occur, and within a year, this area has experienced major floods three times,” he said.

Peter added that the construction of the highway demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing quality infrastructure for the people.

He said the project’s completion would not only create job opportunities for locals but also attract foreign investors to carry out economic activities in the area.

Kampung Kolopis is located along the Kota Kinabalu Outer Ring Road, which connects Ketiau, Putatan, to Berungis, Tuaran, spanning a total distance of 41.7 kilometres.

-- BERNAMA