SEMATAN: Works Minister Baru Bian is optimistic that the RM16.49 billion Pan Borneo Sarawak will be fully completed in June 2021.

“The project is divided into two phases; phase one covering 786km from Telok Melano to Miri is divided into 11 packages. While phase two, which is still under our consideration, will be from Miri to Lawas and will not be going through Brunei,” said Baru, when speaking at the official opening of Telok Melano to Sematan road yesterday.

Baru revealed that the Kick Off Project (KOP) started with the construction of the road from Nyabau junction to Bakun junction on March 30, 2015.

“For the Telok Melano to Sematan work package, the project started on September 15, 2015,” he said.

For the other 10 packages of Pan Borneo Sarawak, Baru said the construction have started in stages since 2016.

Baru also revealed that works on Telok Melano to Sematan for the first package of works was fully completed on January 4, 2019.

“Works at Telok Melano – Sematan involved construction of 33 kilometres of road, six bridges and five main junctions,” he said.

Baru also revealed that the cost of Pan Borneo Sarawak is RM16.49 billion while the Telok Melano – Sematan project cost about RM580 million.

“The stretch of Pan Borneo Sarawak from Telok Melano to Sematan involved stretches along Tanjong Datu National Park and Samunsam Wildlife Sactuary. Samunsam Wildlife Santuary is the oldest conservation area in Sarawak to protect monkey, birds and plants,” he said.

Baru said works progress on the remaining 10 packages of Pan Borneo Sarawak from Sematan to Miri have achieved 35 per cent.

“Overall, Pan Borneo Sarawak, will involve the construction of 115 bridges, 25 flyovers, three Rest and Service Area – RSA and six lay-bys,” he said.

Baru said that he joined the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation (MIDT) Sarawak and JKR Sarawak (JKRS) going to the ground via FTRoadpedia Pan Borneo Sarawak from 29 September 2018 to October 1, 2018 to see the progress of works.

“Contractors building Pan Borneo must continue to give highest attention to the safety aspect of road users – putting enough road signage at strategic locations,” he said.