Nine work packages under Phase 1A of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway are expected to be fully completed and opened to motorists this year, according to Deputy Works Minister Ahmad Maslan.
The packages include PK1 (Sindumin to Kampung Melalia), PK3 (Beaufort to Bongawan), PK4 (Bongawan to Papar), PK7 (Inanam to Sepanggar), PK8 (Sepanggar to Berungis), PK10 (Pituru to Rampayan Laut), PK11 (Kampung Maya to Baungon), PK29 (Moynod to Sapi Nangoh) and PK30 (Sapi Nangoh to Telupid).
Ahmad said four out of the 15 work packages under Phase 1A had already been completed in stages between 2023 and 2025, while another nine are targeted for completion this year.
“This is certainly good news for the people of Sabah,” he said after visiting the Sabah Public Works Department office at Wisma Pan Borneo in Putatan.
The Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project covers a total distance of 706 kilometres from Sindumin to Tawau and is divided into Phase 1A and Phase 1B to improve implementation and financing management.
Ahmad added that four additional work packages are expected to be completed next year, namely PK2 (Kampung Melalia to Beaufort), PK12 (Sarang to Temuno), PK19 (IGN Estate to Agri Harvest) and PK28 (Batu 32 Sandakan to Moynod).
He said another 12 work packages are projected for completion in 2028, followed by three more in 2029 and the remaining three by 2030.
Ahmad also expressed hope that any package capable of being accelerated would be expedited to help resolve long-standing road and traffic issues faced by Sabahans.
Meanwhile, he revealed that two work packages involving the Putatan and Manggatal routes are expected to open to motorists beginning July.
The new routes will allow road users to bypass Kota Kinabalu, helping to ease congestion in the city.
“This will help reduce traffic congestion, and motorists without business in Kota Kinabalu are encouraged to use the bypass routes for smoother travel,” he said.
