KUCHING: Work on most of the Pan Borneo Highway projects is ahead of schedule.
Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said in an interview yesterday that only several packages were behind schedule and they included the Serian roundabout to Pantu intersection, Mile 5 Nyabau Flyover and Persimpangan Bakun to Sungai Tangap.
“The E-Mart Bridge is currently 65% completed, which is 5.5% behind schedule mainly due to technical issues on utility redirection while the Sungai Rimbas Bridge is 94% completed which is 6% behind schedule.
“These delays are mostly due to soil issues and nothing major. Hopefully, these projects as well as all packages under the Pan Borneo Highway will be completed within the given period and budget.
“Also, I have not received any reports of any of the Pan Borneo Highway packages taking over any cemetery in Sarikei, as claimed by netizens.
“When there are cases like this, the standard practice is to avoid them.
The Land and Survey Department will be looking at any land matter related to the Pan Borneo Highway.
“There was an accident which occurred a while ago. A ship overturned near the project. It did not affect the progress of the project. It was already behind schedule as they were already working under penalty. The bridge should have been completed by now.
“Other projects include the Samarahan Bridge (74 per cent completed) which is 1% behind schedule while projects such as the Medan Jaya – Jalan Tun Hussein Onn Flyover (Bintulu), Batang Rambungan Bridge and Batang Lupar Bridge are under initial stages of the value process, designing and appointment of consultant respectively,” said Fadillah.
