RANAU: The growing use of alternative routes by motorists escaping congestion along the Ranau–Kota Kinabalu road should no longer be viewed merely as a temporary solution but factored into Sabah’s long-term road planning.
Political Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister, Dr Bonaventure Boniface, said some of these routes could potentially play a bigger role in the future Ranau-west coast road network if technical and traffic studies establish their viability.
Dr Bonaventure“The growing use of these routes should therefore not be seen only as a temporary response to congestion,” he said.
“It should also be taken into consideration in longer-term planning to create a safer, more resilient and more reliable road network between Ranau and the west coast.”His comments follow growing reliance by motorists on alternative connections through Randagong, Bundu Tuhan, Kiulu and Tambunan to avoid congestion along the main Ranau-Kota Kinabalu corridor, particularly during weekends and holiday periods.
Daily Express reported in June that motorists were increasingly turning to these routes, with some road users saying the Kiulu route could save between 30 minutes and an hour compared with remaining in congestion on the main road.
Bonaventure said although some alternative roads may still be capable of accommodating increased traffic, heavier usage would inevitably put greater pressure on sections constrained by narrow road widths, steep gradients, junctions, pavement conditions and road geometry.
He said this made safety improvements increasingly important, including better signage and road markings, street lighting, treatment of accident black spots and traffic control where necessary.
Possible upgrading works could also include road widening, junction improvements and the construction of overtaking or climbing lanes.
However, Bonaventure stressed that any proposal should be backed by traffic data and assessments of existing road conditions and safety requirements, as well as funding availability.
The status of specific projects or allocations would also have to be confirmed against JKR Sabah’s current development programmes and approved allocations, he said.
“In the longer term, there is certainly potential for some of these routes to play a bigger role as part of the Ranau-west coast road network, particularly if technical and traffic studies show that they are viable.
“Developing them into permanent alternative connections would require a comprehensive assessment covering traffic projections, road standards, terrain, safety, construction costs and impacts on surrounding communities.”The issue comes as the State Government is already pursuing several short and long-term measures to ease congestion in Ranau and Kundasang.
Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam told the State Legislative Assembly in July that these included alternative road projects, overtaking and climbing lanes and strategic projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Among them is the proposed 30km Ranau Bypass from Bundu Tuhan to Kilimu, for which detailed study and design have been approved.
The proposed road, which will include three bridges, is intended to allow Sandakan-bound traffic to bypass Kundasang and Ranau towns.
The Government is also upgrading the 6km Kampung Mohimboyon-Lipantai-Pahu road, which Joachim said would help reduce dependence on the main route and distribute traffic between Kundasang and Ranau.
Another 4.05km alternative route at Tambiau-Sarapong is also being upgraded, while JKR Sabah has submitted 10 proposals for overtaking and climbing lanes to improve traffic flow and reduce accident risks on hilly sections.
The importance of alternative roads is not new to Ranau.
The Kundasang-Kauluan-Pinausok route, for example, has long served local communities and has been used as an alternative whenever landslides disrupt the main Ranau-Kota Kinabalu road or congestion worsens during festive periods.
An 8km section of the route is being upgraded to JKR R2 standard together with the construction of a bridge under a RM48.6 million project approved in 2020.
Bonaventure said the increasing number of motorists turning to secondary routes now provides another reason to examine their longer-term potential.
Rather than treating them solely as escape routes whenever the main road becomes congested, he said their growing role should be reflected in future planning for the wider Ranau-west coast road network.
