KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee has criticised the relocation of some shipping operations from Sepanggar Port to Kota Kinabalu Port, saying it has worsened road damage, dust and noise pollution in residential areas near Signal Hill.
He said heavy trucks initially used the Likas coastal road following the operational shift, while the structural failure and closure of the Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens bridge subsequently left them with limited alternative routes.
“Weight restrictions on the temporary Bailey Bridge forced heavy vehicles to divert through residential roads to Jalan Signal Hill, placing additional strain on roads not designed to accommodate heavy haulage,” he said in a statement, Saturday.
He said the road connecting Hakka Hall to Signal Hill, which was paved in 2021 during his tenure as a Nominated Assemblyman to provide local access, was not built to withstand heavy truck traffic.
The constant movement of heavy vehicles day and night had seriously damaged the road, while dust and noise disrupted residents’ peace and quiet, he said.
Yong added that his proposal last August to upgrade the Likas Coastal Road, also known as Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, had remained unanswered.
He said the heavy vehicles had accelerated the deterioration of the access road serving Jalan Signal Hill and Hakka Hall, and urged the Government to address the underlying infrastructure problems directly.
He called for a comprehensive plan covering coastal road logistics and bridges to prevent further disruption to residential areas.
