By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 26: Construction on the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) and Trans Borneo Highway projects expected to commence in 2023 will see a huge number of resources shifted to the northern region of Sarawak (Limbang and Lawas) over the next eight to 10 years.
Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas told the august House today that the federal government has approved the construction of SSLR Phase 2 and Trans Borneo Highway projects in March 2022.
“The SSLR Phase 1 from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng, Lawas (77km) is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
“The construction of SSLR Phase 2 will be divided into three sections, namely Section 1 from Mulu to Limbang (116km), Section 2 from Long Luping to Ba’kelalan (75km), and Section 3 from Limbang to Long Merarap (66km),” he said when delivering his winding-up speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
For the Trans Borneo Highway, Uggah added that the construction will also be divided into three sections.
The Miri Section is from Kuala Baram to Sungai Tujuh covering 4.9km, while the Limbang Section is from ICQS Tedungan to ICQS Pandaruan (57.3km), and the Lawas Section is from Lawas town to ICQS Merapok (34.1km).
Meanwhile, Uggah who is also the Deputy Premier, pointed out that six out of the 14 packages under the Second Trunk Road project, which will shorten travelling time and distance from Kuching-Simanggang and Betong-Sibu, have been awarded while the remaining eight are currently under design.
“This alternative shorter route to the main trunk roads of the Coastal Road Network and Pan Borneo Highway will further improve mobility of the people.
“The completion of this Second Trunk Road towards the end of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) will provide greater accessibility and open up more rural areas for agriculture, commercial centres, factories, tourist attractions and other socio-economic development activities,” he said.
The Second Trunk Road project consists of three sections with the first from Samarahan to Roban spanning approximately 112km in length of single carriageway JKR R5 two-lane highway.
The second section linking Sebuyau to Simanggang-Betong is approximately 94km of single carriageway JKR R5 2-lane highway; and the third section includes the upgrading of existing Jalan Kelupu-Jalan Tanjung Genting to Lanang Bridge, Sibu from two lanes to four lanes JKR R5 highway. — DayakDaily
