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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 15: The Federal government will look into the need for flyovers in areas such as Mile 8 in Kuching and along Saratok in the next Malaysia Plan.
Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said this will be one of his priorities once the Pan Borneo Highway including Red Line, Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) and Trans Borneo Highway projects are completed.
“In the next Malaysia Plan, we will also look into other areas that require flyovers such as Mile 8 in Kuching and along Saratok which is quite critical considering the high volume of traffic and bad congestion experienced currently.
“But the priority now is to ensure the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1 and 2 as well as SSLR,” he told reporters after officiating the Safety Advocacy Tour 2023 in Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak at Sarawak Islamic Complex today.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Ir Aidel Lariwoo were also present.
Fadillah highlighted that he is currently working closely with Federal Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi to ensure the timely completion of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway.
He said the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak aims to finish the Pan Borneo Highway by end of this year, except for Lambir section involving 4km which has been pushed back to next year due to the relocation of pipe before road construction can proceed.
“A contractor will be appointed for the necessary works. The sections in Bukit Begunan and Sarikei are expected to be completed this year. Sarikei also involves relocating utilities including pipe line involving 500 metres only.
“Focus will also be given to upgrading the old Pan Borneo stretches categorised as Red Line to meet current standards and quality,” he explained.
Additionally, Fadillah said Nanta is also exploring ways to expedite the approved SSLR and Trans Borneo Highway projects in order to link up the whole region.
“The ongoing construction of Phase 1 of SSLR is progressing, and the overall project linking Lawas-Limbang-Marudi-Miri-Kalabakan is estimated to cost about RM7 billion, while the Trans Borneo Highway connecting Sarawak through Brunei to Sabah is estimated to involve about RM3 billion.
“The tender process for next phases of SSLR is coming soon and the final cost will be subjected to the final designs as the areas involved are quite challenging with hills,” he added. — DayakDaily
