PAPAR: The upgrading of a Federal road of Lok Kawi road from Sabindo Roundabout to SMK Kinarut here is expected to spur economic growth and improve connectivity in Kinarut, paving the way for further development in the rapidly growing township.
A property developer that has developed Kinarut here for 18 years, WSG Group Managing Director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen described the Federal upgrading project a good news not only to her as the developer but also to the residents, road users and investors in the area.
“I welcome the government’s initiative in upgrading the Lok Kawi Road as the rapidly developing Kinarut township and Papar district will bring in a significant increase in traffic volume, especially during peak hours.
“Hence, the expansion of the road is vital to ease long-standing traffic congestion and to make Kinarut a more appealing and accessible to property investors, residents and visitors. This, in turn, will attract more property developers, to build commercial and residential projects in Kinarut,” she said.
Susan was speaking after the ground breaking ceremony of the project from the Sabindo Roundabout to SMK Kinarut by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor at WSG Kinarut Sales Gallery on Tuesday.
To date, the WSG Group has developed more than 1,000 residential units and over 200 shoplots through projects including Taman Sungai Wang, Rose Garden, Palm Condominium.
Her latest commercial shoplots projects - Kinarut Palm City and Kinarut Palm Avenue, transforming Kinarut into a vibrant township strategically located next to SMK Kinarut and connected to Kinarut Old Township here, marked another milestone in the company’s expanding township developments along the Kinarut corridor.
Susan said the chronic traffic congestion during peaks hours has affected daily life and even simple activities, as residents have to plan carefully so as to avoid travelling during the traffic jams.
When WSG Group began developing Kinarut almost two decades ago, the traffic volumes were significantly lower.
She said thousands of residential units and hundreds of shoplots have been built, contributing to increased traffic in the area.
“As development progressed, we had to create an alternative shortcut to help residents return home more conveniently in KInarut area. The existing infrastructure has simply not kept pace with the area’s growth.
“Although Kinarut is under Papar district, it is located near Putatan and functions as part of the greater Kota Kinabalu growth corridor. Better accessibility will encourage more people to come here for shopping, dining and leisure activities,” she said. The airport is only 15 minutes away.
Susan commended Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister and Papar Member of Parliament Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali for his efforts in pushing for the project over the past several years.
