KUCHING: A task force will be set up to look into and address issues arising on the ground in the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said the task force would be formed between the Works Ministry, state Public Works Department and consultants with the aim of ensuring that the project was completed as quickly as possible.
"In implementing the project, sometimes there are problems at the actual site.
"For example, the section at Bukit Begunan needed to be redesigned due to earth movement at the site, so that the road will be solid and safe when it is built.
"This will affect the schedule and costs of the project, so the team to be formed will look into how to address these issues and complete the project accordingly," he said.
Fadillah was speaking to reporters after chairing a coordination meeting on the Pan Borneo Highway, Sabah-Sarawak Link Road and Trans-Borneo Highway projects here on Wednesday (Oct 26).
He also said the Pan Borneo Highway project's workforce was now at 80-90% capacity, following the reopening of borders earlier this year.
The project had faced labour shortage due to Covid-19 movement controls.
On the progress of the Pan Borneo Highway, Fadillah said the first phase in Sarawak was now 88% complete.
"Two more sections in Selangau and Pantu are expected to be fully opened next month," he said.
The first phase involved 786km from Telok Melano in Sarawak’s southern tip to Miri in the north.
Of the total, Fadillah said 586.3km was completed up to single carriageway while 215km was fully completed with dual carriageway.
