A RM119 million upgrade for 17.1km of Sarawak’s Pan Borneo “redline” sections has entered a 16-month work window, with completion targeted for early 2028. The short-stretch package covers nine locations, including Lachau, Selangau, Balingian, Kemena, Sebiew and Tudan. It will upgrade pavement structures and road-safety features. The contractor received the site on Sept 17, and Sarawak JKR and the Works Ministry will monitor the work. The redline is not one continuous 17.1km route. It refers to 136.74km of sections left out of the original Pan Borneo project. The current package is the 17.1km short stretch; a separate 119.64km long stretch is still being refined for implementation. For Sarawak road users, the useful next check is how work is staged at the nine locations and whether the contractor can beat the 16-month schedule. The update did not include a detailed traffic-management timetable.

Twenty-three people were injured after a tour bus carrying 43 people crashed at the Kanowit Roundabout along the Pan Borneo Highway early Monday. The single-vehicle crash was reported at 2.25am. Six firefighters from Sibu Jaya Fire Station were sent to the scene. No one was trapped, but one woman was still inside the bus and was helped out by firefighters; the other 42 people had already been assisted out by members of the public. The injured — 19 women and four men — received initial treatment before being taken to Sibu Hospital and Kanowit Hospital. Police, Health Ministry personnel and the Civil Defence Force also took part in the response, which ended at 4.50am after firefighters ensured the scene was safe. The latest reports did not state what caused the crash or whether traffic arrangements at the roundabout changed afterward. Drivers using the Pan Borneo Highway through the area should follow any police directions and slow down near the scene.

Sarawak transport operators have been urged to form a consortium to help manage Rest and Service Areas along the Pan Borneo Highway. [image: 1785405905075-pan-borneo-rsa.jpg] Photo: DayakDaily Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said bus, lorry and other land transport operators know what road users need, so they should look at joining the management and operation of RSAs through a public-private partnership model. He said this after a Ministry of Transport Sarawak dialogue in Kuching today on the planning of RSAs and layby facilities along the highway. What could be added The discussion covered possible locations and facilities such as petrol stations, vehicle servicing and repair workshops, pharmacies, food outlets, clean washrooms and enough parking for heavy vehicles. Feedback from the session will be compiled and studied by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak before proposals are prepared. Location: Kuching / Pan Borneo Highway, Sarawak Details: Proposed consortium model for highway RSAs and laybys Source: DayakDaily What do you think?