By Karen Bong and Marlynda Meraw
BINTULU, Aug 18: The Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway is near completion, excluding the 16 existing “redline” sections that were not part of the original project scope, with only the final Lambir sector pending works.
Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the highway stretching from Telok Melano to Miri is “very close to 100 per cent completed” once the Lambir works are finished.
He stressed, however, that the so-called redline alignment, which forms the older stretches of road that were excluded during the initial planning due to their then-good condition, should not be mistaken as incomplete portions of the Pan Borneo Highway.
“When Pan Borneo was put up as a project, those 16 sections were never part of it, even though they are on the same alignment.
“That is why some stretches, such as in Sibu, still appear uneven. People may think the highway isn’t completed, but those are the redline sections which now need upgrading to R5 standard,” he explained at the launch of the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak Cleanliness Campaign themed ‘Jum Jaga Pan Borneo Bait-Bait’ at a P-turn here today.
Initially omitted to save costs as the roads were in good condition at the time, the redline alignment now requires significant investment to match the Pan Borneo Highway’s R5-standard dual carriageway. Nearly RM1 billion is needed to upgrade the 140km alignment across Sarawak.
In November 2024, Nanta said six sections of the redline have already been approved for upgrades at an estimated cost of RM120 million. These include stretches at Lachau (Bukit Begunan), Kemena (Bintulu and Bakun), Sebiew (Niah), Tudan (Beluru), Selangau and Balingian.
The Pan Borneo Highway’s final stretch involves two critical locations in Lambir namely at Bukit Song and Mile 8.
At Bukit Song, contractors have assured that a viaduct bridge will be completed by Sept 30, a month ahead of schedule.
Closer to Miri, Mile 8 presents greater complexity due to the replacement of key water pipes. The pipe replacement must be completed first to safeguard Miri’s water supply before a 4.2km road upgrade can begin in phases from 2026, with a 24-month construction period.
He added that State agencies, including Land and Survey and JKR Sarawak, will play vital roles in land acquisition and project coordination.
“The Pan Borneo Highway itself is almost done. The redline sections are separate, but once upgraded, they will complement the whole highway and ensure smooth travel across Sarawak,” Nanta said.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi, Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang and JKR Sarawak deputy director (Infrastructure) Ir Wisil Lichok were present at the event. — DayakDaily
