He said several more sections of the highway are expected to be opened this year and three other sections in Sarikei, Bukit Begunan and Lambir are expected to be completed next year.

“The three sections are facing various challenges including a site that needs to be re-examined.

“There are even some that require re-processing of the design due to the unsuitable terrain conditions,” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak Media Engagement programme here last night.

The RM16 billion Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1 involves the construction of a 786km stretch of road from Telok Melano in the southernmost tip of the state, to Miri in the north.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said the finance ministry is also currently finalising the procurement aspect for the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 project and the Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) project and a ceiling allocation of RM12 billion has been set for both projects.

“We also hope to be able to finalise the awarding of contracts to contractors this year and by early next year this project will be able to start,” he said.

On Aug 7, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the federal government had approved the SSLR Phase 2 Project and the LTB project, and construction would commence as early as next year.

Ismail said technical research for the Phase 2 SSLR and LTB project connecting Miri, Limbang and Lawas is now in the final stage, with construction expected to take three to five years.

He added that the project would not only allow residents of northern Sarawak to reach Sabah through two road network options but also benefit residents in Mulu, Long Seridan, Nanga Medamit, Long Lopeng, Ba’kelalan and Merarap who currently rely on logging roads to commute.