SANDAKAN: The road upgrading project at Batu 10 has become a major source of complaints among road users, as severe traffic congestion has been reported every day, with travel times reaching up to two hours.
Users claim they are forced to endure long traffic jams whenever passing through the route, which is the only main road connecting Batu 10 to Sandakan town.
This situation not only affects travel time but also places stress on drivers who rely on the route for daily activities such as going to work and sending their children to school.
The congestion, which has been ongoing since last Saturday, has disrupted the daily routines of various groups, including workers, school students and traders. It is understood that even those who leave home earlier than usual to avoid traffic still face difficulties due to the high volume of vehicles using the single main route.
Road user Siti Nadzirah Mustaffah said the congestion worsens during peak hours, especially in the morning and evening, when traffic flow increases sharply.
“Since the project began, I have had to leave home earlier and endure nearly two hours of traffic every day just to get to work, whereas previously the journey from my home to my workplace only took about 15 minutes,” she said, Thursday.
Road users have also questioned the planning of the project, which they believe did not take into account the need for alternative routes before construction began.
“The authorities should have provided alternative roads or a more efficient traffic management plan before closing or narrowing the existing routes,” they said.
In addition, some users suggested that construction work be carried out at night to reduce traffic disruption during peak hours.
According to them, this approach could help ease traffic flow during the day and reduce stress on road users.
They added that the failure to provide temporary routes has caused thousands of vehicles to be trapped daily, affecting productivity and increasing the risk of accidents due to extreme congestion.
The road at Batu 10 is a main route used by thousands of vehicles every day, including heavy vehicles and public transport, making it one of the busiest routes in the district.
In this regard, road users hope that the authorities will take immediate action to reduce congestion, including speeding up construction, increasing traffic control, and providing alternative routes for the comfort and safety of all parties.
