Traffic congestion must be resolved at Tg Aru Beach

29 August 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Resolving the traffic problem at Tanjung Aru Beach remains a priority for Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAED).

TAED chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia stated that he is very aware of the traffic congestion in the area, as locals and visitors flock to the beach and park to enjoy the sunset or the sea.

“About 3,000 people visit the beach and park on a Sunday,” he said when met at his office in Prince Philip Park yesterday.

“As we implement the rejuvenation of Tanjung Aru Beach and Prince Philip Park project, we will also implement solutions to address the traffic congestion in the area,” he added, noting that the redevelopment of the park is expected to take shape within two years.

The short-term solution to alleviate traffic congestion involves several measures: establishing a drop-off and pick-up point for e-hailing services and other vehicles at the beach entrance, creating no-parking zones, designating specific parking areas, and installing bollard dividers to facilitate a queuing lane for parking.

For the medium-term solution, Pandikar revealed plans to construct a new link road from Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) to Tanjung Aru, which will require land acquisition and funding. He also proposed converting Jalan Aru into a one-way street and building an additional road connecting STAR to Kinabalu Golf Club (KGC). Improvements to the existing road will include new junctions, a roundabout, and possible road widening.

In terms of long-term solutions, Pandikar proposed a new coastal road connecting Sutera Harbour to STAR, as well as another road linking Petagas to the Tanjung Aru beach area.

He reiterated the importance of maintaining free public access to both the beach and the park.