KOTA KINABALU: Budget constraints are hampering efforts to maintain roads in the state, some of which are in poor condition and in dire need of repair.
Sabah Public Works Department director Richard Jomiji Kinsil said that one of the problems is that budget allocations for the state are only announced early in the year, making it difficult to plan for periodic maintenance works.
“For now, the department can only carry out routine works (not related to road maintenance) and do temporary road patching works,” he said when contacted.
Among the poorly-maintained roads in the state is Jalan Telupid-Sandakan, which many motorists claim has become hazardous.
An online petition was launched in December last year to fix the pothole-riddled road, which garnered thousands of signatures.
Richard said that there have been efforts to fill-in small potholes along the route, but the repairs did not last long.
“It is undeniable that the route is hazardous, due to the presence of potholes and could endanger speeding motorists.
“The department has put up signs reminding road users to slow down (and drive at) a speed of 60 kilometres per hour,” he added.
Another road that requires fixing is Jalan Sapulut-Kalabakan, which has been severely damaged by over-loaded logging trucks plying the route.
The road, which stretches 145 kilometres, was upgraded in 2015, but motorists were only able to enjoy a smooth and pothole-free ride for a few months.
For now, motorists have to drive slowly, as there are about 20 gravel-covered stretches along the route, thus adding about three hours to the normal travelling time.
Another stretch of road frequently highlighted as a problem on social media is Jalan Sapi-Nangoh, which connects rural areas in northeast Sabah with Kudat and Sandakan.