KUCHING: A RM260 million project to construct and upgrade approximately 30.21 kilometres of former logging roads in Telang Usan and Mulu, Baram, Miri, is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the project design had been completed and included the construction of nine bridges to improve connectivity in the areas concerned.

“The project involves the construction and upgrading of approximately 30.21 kilometres of roads, together with nine bridges, at an estimated cost of RM260 million,” he said.

He said this during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Wednesday.

In a related development, he explained that efforts to expand rural road access also involved the process of taking over several former logging roads in the Ulu Mukah and Selangau areas by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak).

He said three road alignments, namely Jalan Ulu Mukah–Selangau, Jalan Ulu Selangau and Jalan Stapang Quarry/Ulu Oya–Selangau, were currently undergoing alignment surveys before gazettement as the next step towards upgrading the roads to JKR specifications.

He added that the Government had also approved a proposal to construct a link road from the R.C. Bridge across Batang Ai in Merebong to Engkelili town, Bukit Tungku and Klampo in Lubok Antu, Sri Aman. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2028.

For the Sri Aman and Lubok Antu areas, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), had also approved six road and bridge projects, comprising three currently under construction and another three at the planning stage.

The projects include Jalan Ulu Skrang, Lubok Antu Phase 2, the concrete bridge across Batang Ai in Engkelili town, and Jalan Sebeliau–Bilararap in Sri Aman.

Meanwhile, the projects at the planning stage include upgrading Jalan Ulu Skrang and constructing new concrete bridges at Nanga Entalau and Menjuau Ulu in Sri Aman. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ezzah Syafiqah
Photo: George S. Embie
Translator: Uilson Ng