A HUGE amount of resources is expected to be shifted to the northern region of Sarawak (Limbang and Lawas) over the next eight to 10 years for the construction of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase and the Trans Borneo Highway projects.
Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the construction of the projects had been approved by the federal government in March this year.
In his ministerial winding-up speech today, he informed that the SSLR Phase 1 from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng, Lawas (77km) was currently under construction and expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
“There will be three sections for the Phase 2 of SSLR, 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).
“For the Trans Borneo Highway, three sections, namely Section Miri from Kuala Baram to Sungai Tujuh (4.9km), Section Limbang from OCQS Tedungan to ICQS Pandaruan (57.3km) and Section Lawas from Lawas town to ICQS Merapok (34.1km).
“Both projects are expected to commence in 2023. As the federal-state relationship is cordial, the endeavour to enhance infrastructure in Sarawak will progress by leaps and bounds.”
In addition, Uggah mentioned the completion of the Pan Borneo flyover at Nyabau Interchange in Bintulu (spanning 1.23km) which opened in January and the two flyovers in Serian had smoothen the driving experience and the traffic flow.
He added that traffic congestion along Kuching/Serian would soon see better days, as Mile 6 flyover would be opened to the public by the end of June 2022 and Mile 7 flyover by the end of May 2022.
“Mile 10 flyover is now passable to traffic, and the Mile 4 1/2 flyover was opened to the public in May last year.
“The Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 2023. With its completion, we will be able to drive seamlessly from Telok Melano to Miri without toll, something that we have never dreamt of before.
“We will coordinate with Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia to ensure its timely completion.”
He also said the Coastal Road Network, which is divided into three components, involved projects on the replacement of seven existing ferry crossings with bridges.
“Ferry crossings at Batang Rambungan, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Sungai Krian, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa and Batang Igan would be replaced with bridges.
“The Batang Lupar Bridge will be the longest river crossing bridge in Malaysia upon completion. Currently, these bridges are at various stages of construction and all these bridges are expected to be completed by 2025.
“Other than that, the missing link at Jalan Pasi to Jalan Sibu/Tanjung Manis including Batang Rajang Bridge, Bintulu/Jepak Bridge crossing Kuala Kemena and the proposed Second Kuching/Samarahan Trunk Road are currently under construction.
“The projects are expected to be completed in 2025,” he said, and the upgrading and rehabilitation works of the 331km of the existing coastal road were divided into 30 packages.
He informed that, currently, three packages had been completed, 20 under construction, six at tender stage and one under design.
