By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 14: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate at the launch of the new road alignment from Julau to Sibu under the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project next week.
Senior Minister of Works Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said the road alignment is one of three sections under Package 7 of Phase 1 of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project.
“Next week, I will be with the Chief Minister to launch the completed package in Julau.
“There is another segment of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project from Serian to Pantu that has achieved 99 per cent completion. Insya-Allah, we will hold a project handover ceremony for the segment soon.
“Overall, the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project is nearing 80 per cent completion,” he said at a press conference after an engagement session with the State media at Waterfront Hotel here today.
Asked about the speed limit for the Pan Borneo Highway, Fadillah who is also the Petra Jaya MP said the proposed design was set at 90 kilometre per hour at the moment.
“However, since the road is a dual carriageway, people will tend to drive faster so we will review the final speed limit again. We will work on this together with Ministry of Transport and Road Transport Department (JPJ),” he added.
He also took note of the grouses of road users concerning no proper signages along the completed stretches of the Pan Borneo Highway which has confused road users.
In response, he explained that some of the dual carriageway roads were only opening half-road to the public.
“However, due to having locals residing along the stretches, we have to open the road for them to reach their homes. Officially, only half of the dual carriageway is open for public use.
“We take note of this issue and we have instructed the companies as well as safety officers to take the necessary actions to make sure that the proper signages are being put up so as to avoid any confusion and accidents for road users,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
