KUCHING: The Works Ministry together with Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) will meet up with the contractors of Pan Borneo Highway work packages soon to deliberate on the project’s implementation, particularly on safety and maintenance works.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof noted that there were complaints from members of the public on the condition of the project construction site which posed a danger to road users, apart from the project being delayed.
“When the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government changed the project’s implementation method from terminating the Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd (LBU) as a project delivery partner (PDP) to handing it over to the PWD, the transition has affected the planning and monitoring of the project.
“That is why I have directed the PWD team together with Sarawak PWD to go on the ground soon to meet up with all work packages contractors to ensure that the project’s maintenance works are well managed,” he said.
Fadillah, who is also the Senior Minister for Infrastructure Development, further mentioned that the works would include road safety audit (RSA) and traffic management plan (TMP) such as lights and signages, where they must be properly implemented and in place to safeguard road users and workers during road works.
“At the same time, road users are advised to be cautious on the road when travelling along the Pan Borneo Highway project construction site. Don’t drive too fast, especially at night,” he said.
Asked whether the project has any challenges involving land owners, Fadillah said there was no more problems related to land issues as the project now only has to get back on track on smooth implementation, monitoring and compliance after the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) in view of the Covid-19 crisis.
The Pan Borneo Highway project, which was originally estimated to cost about RM16.488 billion, is now close to 50 percent completed.
The entire project involves the construction of 115 bridges, 25 elevated interchanges, three rest and service areas, and six lay-bys.
