Key highway link investment in Malaysia will boost connectivity

A US$137.6 million investment is being targeted at the Pan Borneo Highway connecting the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. This investment will be supplied by Malaysia’s Federal Government. Overtaking lanes will be built at critical locations along the 207km stretch linking Bintulu and Miri as well as the 217km stretch connecting Bintulu and Sibu. The stretches are considered a high priority due to congestion and a high percentage of heavy and commercial vehicles using the route at these points. The highway at present carries some 10,000 vehicles/day on average. A study is currently being conducted by the 4886 Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to identify other areas of the Pan Borneo Highway that will require overtaking lanes. The government has said it will build dual-carriageways in sections carrying 20,000 vehicles/day.