By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Sept 22: The Works Ministry has proposed a RM216 million project to construct overtaking lanes at six strategic locations along the Bintulu-Bakun Road to improve road safety and traffic flow, particularly in view of the heavy vehicles using the route to support major economic activities in the area.
Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the proposed overtaking lanes would cover a combined distance of about 12 kilometres along Bintulu-Bakun Road (Federal Route FT803), with the locations identified around KM16, KM39, KM49, KM75, KM106 and KM109.
He said the proposal had been submitted for consideration under Rolling Plan 2 (RP2) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
“The proposal involves the construction of Side-by-Side Passing Lanes (SSPL), upgrading of related structures and the installation of street lighting along the affected sections,” he said during a site visit to the Bintulu-Bakun Road today, accompanied by Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and JKR Sarawak director Datu Ir Cassidy Morris.
Nanta said the condition of the road had deteriorated significantly, particularly due to the heavy vehicles travelling along the route.
However, he said such vehicles could not simply be prohibited from using the road as there was no alternative route and the corridor was important to the local economy.
“We cannot prohibit heavy vehicles from using this road because it is an important route for economic activities. There are many oil palm plantations, logging activities and other economic activities along this route,” he told reporters in a pre-recorded interview.
He said the situation called for a change in approach, with the focus shifting towards upgrading the road to accommodate its existing economic role.
“We should no longer simply say that heavy vehicles should not use this road when there is no alternative route available. Because of the economic activities here, we are now of the view that the road should be upgraded,” he said.
Nanta said the proposed overtaking lanes were among the measures being considered to improve the route, particularly given its hilly and winding sections, limited visibility at certain locations and the movement of slower heavy vehicles.
The additional lanes would provide safer opportunities for motorists to overtake while helping to improve traffic flow and travelling comfort along the route, he said.
Federal Route FT803, which stretches 128.46 kilometres, is a major link connecting Bintulu with Bakun and surrounding areas.
Nanta said the road had experienced pavement deterioration due to the high volume of heavy vehicles, particularly lorries transporting timber and other commodities.
To address the problem, the ministry and the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak have implemented several repair methods, including Cold In-Situ Recycling (CIPR), road-base top-up and resurfacing.
For 2026, RM28.10 million has been allocated through Work Orders for periodic pavement maintenance covering 11 kilometres of the route.
The allocation represents a significant increase from RM6 million for three kilometres in 2023, RM14.20 million for 5.64 kilometres in 2024 and RM14.70 million for six kilometres in 2025.
Nanta said the ministry also planned to carry out a more comprehensive assessment of road conditions before determining longer-term upgrading requirements.
He said a Pavement Condition Assessment (PCA) was being proposed to obtain a detailed assessment of the condition of the entire road.
“This will not be limited to this road alone, but will cover federal roads throughout Sarawak, and we plan to carry this out next year. Before that, we will also allocate funding for the necessary works,” he said.
Gantry barriers have also been installed at strategic points at KM1, KM39, KM54 and KM83 since 2015 to control vehicles exceeding prescribed load and height limits.
Nanta said the ministry was also supporting local contractors through the implementation of some 2026 Work Orders involving contractors in Grades G1 to G4.
Several 2026 Work Order projects had been completed according to the required standards, contributing to improvements in the road between Bintulu and Bakun Dam, he said.
Nanta said Bakun Road was not only important as a transport route but also served more than 30 longhouses and villages along the corridor.
The route also provides an important connection from Bintulu and Sebauh to Sungai Asap, Belaga, the Bakun Hydroelectric Power Station and Murum Hydroelectric Power Station.
It also supports access to schools, healthcare facilities, emergency services and local economic activities.
Nanta said the ministry would continue coordinating with relevant agencies to strengthen the justification and requirements for the proposed overtaking lanes.
He said the submission under RP2 of 13MP reflected the ministry’s efforts to ensure infrastructure needs along Bakun Road remained part of national development planning.
KKR and JKR Sarawak, he added, would continue to focus on maintaining existing federal roads and planning appropriate improvements to ensure the network remained safe, comfortable and resilient while supporting the daily mobility and socioeconomic needs of Sarawak’s communities. — DayakDaily
