Brunei's Only Underpass Opens At 9.15 Sharp
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - The first car to go through Bandar Seri Begawan's only underpass did so exactly at 9.15 yesterday morning.

The modern underpass forms part of the $30 million Kiarong Interchange complex and is designed to smoothen traffic flow as all roads will now lead to the Jamee Asri Mosque to radiate in various directions off the Sultan Hassanal Highway.

Time taken to acquire private land delayed the project considerably while frustrated motorists fumed and complained as monstrous jams built up especially at peak time while construction was in progress.

Sources said if land was acquired much in advance the project could have been finished much earlier.

"It is a very modern piece of engineering. I thoroughly enjoyed going through the tunnel," said a local motorist yesterday.

"It was worth waiting for now that Brunei has its first underpass which is a sign of country's progress," said a woman driver who liked the smooth ride and the modern design.

Engineers and others involved in the project were happy that the whole ordeal is at last successfully over.

"We thank everyone who assisted in the project. We also appreciate the patience the local motorists displayed who faced difficulties during construction," said a senior engineer.

Meanwhile Radio Television Brunei reports that the underpass at the highway interchange at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway near the Jamee Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque can support traffic congestion for at least ten years from now, however depends on the economic growth of the country and development at the surrounding areas.

The Acting Director of Road Department Awang Haji Mohd Husin in an interview said that the underpass, which was opened to road users yesterday has already seen the easing of the traffic flow.

He said the underpass's ability to handle heavy traffic congestion would depend on the development of shophouses around Kiulap but most importantly the increase of the number of cars in the sultanate due to the increase of the people's purchasing power.

The construction of the underpass began in October 1998, under the 7th National Development Plan and will be fully completed at the end of next month.

The underpass was built at a cost of nearly $32 million.

It is equipped with safety features such as automatic electronic lights, which operates 24-hours daily, a full width emergency breakdown lane, fire hydrants and fans to expel fumes in the event of a fire.

In the unlikely event the underpass becomes impassable because of flooding and accident, warning messages will be flashed at the large electronic display board located before the entrance to the underpass.

The electronic display is activated automatically should water levels reach critical level. It is also equipped with a special pump to remove rainwater.

There is also provision for automated telephones.

Meanwhile, the Road Department advised all motorists to drive at 80km/hr limit when entering the underpass due to the unlikely event of incidents happening inside the underpass.

Brudirect.com