SEMATAN: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Works Minister Baru Bian yesterday jointly launched the Pan Borneo Highway for the Telok Melano-Sematan alignment here.
The 33-kilometre long alignment completed on Jan 4, 2019 involved the construction of six concrete bridges and links several previously inaccessible villages, two prominent national parks and two scenic tourist destinations.
It allows visitors easy access to the villages, national parks and tourist attractions which are now less than 30-minute car ride from Sematan town instead of the previous one-hour boat ride.
“Phase 1 entails 11 packages and with the completion of the first package today, the following 10 packages which commenced construction in 2016 are also expected to be completed on time,” said Baru in his speech.
He added that the TelokMelano-Sematan stretch cost the federal government RM580 million and was completed on schedule by its main contractor LBU.
“The entirety of the LBU project will cost the federal government RM16.49 billion and is a testament of the federal government’s commitment to improve infrastructure not just in Sarawak but also the whole country,” he added.
Baru regarded the Pan Borneo project as the best engineering project on Borneo Island.
“The federal government have kept the promise of the previous administration by not charging toll fees for the use of the road.
“As a Lun Bawang and son of Sarawak, I truly understand the aspirations and needs of Sarawakians as this stretch of road will help the socio-economic growth of the state as well as resolve connectivity issues faced in the past.”
Among the features of the highway are underground electric cabling, a special bridge adjacent to the Sanmusan Wildlife Sanctuary to allow wild animal crossings and single carriageways built in peat swamp areas to minimise built up areas, particularly in high density Mangrove forests.
The Pan Borneo Highway which started construction on Sept 15, 2015 is now about 35% completed and Phase 1 covering Telok Melano to Miri is expected to be fully completed by June 2021.
Phase 2 of the highway from Miri to Lawas is still in the planning stage and is intended to bypass Brunei with a kick-off project from the Nyabau junction to the Bakun Junction initiated on March 30, 2015.
About 2,000 people from Telok Melano, Telok Serabang, Sematan and Lundu towns including community leaders as well as government officials from various agencies and dignitaries throughout the state were present to witness the historic launch of the Pan Borneo Highway for the Telok Melano-Sematan alignment here.
