Kota kinabalu: The construction of the Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) from Putatan to Berungis, Tuaran, is expected to provide significant benefits and economic spillovers to local communities along the route. Chairman of the Kampung Kolopis Development and Safety Committee in Penampang, Andrias Jubily, stated that the project will help ease traffic congestion and shorten travel times, particularly for road users from the east and north coasts heading to Putatan and Sabah's west coast.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the journey from Kolopis to Inanam is projected to take only five minutes upon the highway's completion, compared to the current travel time of about an hour. Jubily highlighted that the construction of the LPB is timely, as traffic congestion in Penampang has worsened since the district's elevation to a municipality. The LPB will serve as an alternative route for motorists traveling from Putatan to Tuaran without having to pass through the often-congested municipality, especially during school holidays and festive seasons.
Meanwhile, Kampung Tindai Kolopis village head Verus Niun expressed hope that the completion of the LPB project would boost the local economy. He emphasized the importance of road maintenance efforts, particularly regarding safety, and advised motorists to adhere to designated speed limits due to the presence of schoolchildren and animals crossing the road.
Kampung Sarapung Kolopis village head Peter Jipiu hoped that once the LPB construction is fully completed, attention would also be given to improving the drainage system and widening the rivers in the Kolopis area to minimize the impact of frequent floods. He noted that the area has experienced major floods three times within a year due to inadequate drainage.
Peter added that the highway's construction demonstrates the government's commitment to providing quality infrastructure, which would not only create job opportunities for locals but also attract foreign investors to the region. Kampung Kolopis is located along the Kota Kinabalu Outer Ring Road, connecting Ketiau, Putatan, to Berungis, Tuaran, spanning a total distance of 41.7 kilometers.