By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Dec 1: Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has revealed that as of October 2022, the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak (PBHS) project has reached an overall completion rate of 89 per cent, with seven sections open for public use.
Uggah identified these sections as the Telok Melano to Sematan Section; the Serian Section; the Batang Rajang Bridge Section; the Julau Section; the Nyabau Flyover Section; the Pujut Section; and the Selangau Section.
“Meanwhile, the remaining sections are at various stages of implementation and are expected to be completed 95 per cent by 2023 with the rest to be completed by 2024.
“The Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak is a mega project with various implementation challenges. As the project nears its completion, our utmost priority will be the safety of users of the new road,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He revealed that for the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) project, construction is underway on SSLR Phase 1 which will span 77 kilometres from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng, Lawas.
He added that it is showing good progress and Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
Uggah said SSLR Phase 2 is divided into four packages, namely Package 1: Mulu to Long Seridan (45km); Package 2: Long Seridan to Nanga Medamit (71km); Package 3: Long Lopeng to Long Komap, Ba’Kelalan (75km); and Package 4: Rumah Aling to Long Merarap (66km).
He disclosed noted that the project is currently in the planning stage and construction work is expected to start in the third quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile, on the Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) project, he said that it is a project to upgrade the existing road network connecting Sarawak and Sabah with Brunei to dual carriageways, with a total road length of 96.3km.
He explained that the LTB project is divided into three sections, namely the Miri Section (4.9km); the Limbang Section (57.3km); and the Lawas Section (34.1km), noting that the project is in the planning stage and work is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Uggah also pointed out that the PBHS, SSLR, and LTB projects are federal-approved projects.
Furthermore, Uggah, who is also the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, highlighted that the State government is committed to ensuring that Sarawak’s Coastal Road Network is successfully implemented.
“The construction of the Coastal Road Network is divided into three components, namely the replacement of seven existing ferry crossings with major bridges; the construction of “missing link” roads along the coastal area, and the upgrading of 331km out of 896km of the existing coastal road.
“For the construction of bridges and roads, all 13 packages have been awarded. These packages are at various stages of implementation and are expected to be completed by 2025,” he stated.
Uggah also revealed that for upgrades on the existing coastal road, 8 out of 29 packages have been completed, namely Kota Samarahan/Sadong Jaya Road, Samarahan Division (15km); Sungai Buloh/Engsengei Road, Samarahan Division (8.05km); Sungai Buloh/Sebuyau Road, Samarahan Division (9.6km); Triso/Melebu/Pusa Phase 1 (8.4km); Triso/Melebu/Pusa Phase 2 (17.2km); Triso/Melebu/Pusa Phase 3 (9.1km); Sungai Nyalau to Bakam Road (first section), Miri Division (8.1km); and Sungai Nyalau to Bakam Road (second section), Miri Division (27.2km).
He added, the remaining 21 packages are at various stages of implementation and are expected to be completed by 2024.
Moreover, on the Second Trunk Road Programme, six out of 14 packages have been awarded, namely Batang Saribas Bridge No.2; Batang Saribas Bridge to Roban Interchange; Sebuyau-Lingga; Sungai Lingga Bridge; Batang Lupar Bridge No.2; and Batang Lupar Bridge No.2, Sri Aman to Betong Interchange.
“These packages are at various stages of construction and all six are scheduled for completion by 2025,” he explained. — DayakDaily
