The Ministry of Development acknowledges the concerns raised in the Opinion letter titled ‘Improve Roadwork Efficiency to Ease Traffic Congestion’ by Observer612, published in the Bulletin on February 5.
To provide insight, the temporary one-lane road closure near the Bandar Seri Begawan Fire Station was necessary to facilitate the repair of an ageing 525-millimetre underground sewerage pipe located 2.5 metres beneath the road surface.
This closure was implemented to ensure a safe working environment while prioritising the safety of road users. A public announcement regarding the closure was issued on January 26 to allow road users to plan their journeys accordingly.
Regarding the suggestion to implement shift-based work, the ministry would like to clarify that this system is already in place. The on-site teams are working from early morning until midnight, with the exception of heavy downpours, to expedite the completion of the repairs.
The ministry remains committed to restoring the sewerage system as quickly as possible to minimise disruptions to both public sewerage services and traffic flow. In the long term, the ministry is planning to replace and reallocate the ageing asbestos pipeline by shifting its alignment to the roadside. This strategic approach aims to reduce future disruptions and improve the resilience of the sewerage infrastructure.
The ministry apologise for any inconvenience caused and remains committed to improve planning and execution of future sewerage repair works to minimise disruptions to road users.
Public Relations Unit
Ministry of Development
