PETRA JAYA: Construction plans and packages for the second phase of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak will be finalised by the last quarter of this year.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said details on the second phase’s proposed routes, which run through Limbang and Lawas, have been presented to the government's technical committee for approval.
"We have also provided a few options (for the second phase) to the technical committee.
"The ministry hopes that we can get approval from the technical committee in October.
"(Once approved), the proposal will be handed over to the Project Delivery Partner, which will in turn award and appoint contractors to carry out the project," he told reporters when met at his Hari Raya open house here today.
On the construction of the first phase of the highway in Sarawak, linking Telok Melano to Merapok, Fadillah said all 11 work packages are progressing accordingly.
"There are slight delays for two of the packages involving areas in Bintulu due to land issues, but the matter is being resolved.
"All work packages for the first phase of the highway recorded an average of 10 per cent in terms of progress," said the Petra Jaya MP.
Costing a whopping RM16 billion, the highway’s first phase involves upgrade works and the construction of new roads along a 786km stretch in the state.