{"id":16176,"date":"2022-03-29T08:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v3\/?p=16176"},"modified":"2022-03-28T14:43:24","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T06:43:24","slug":"second-trunk-road-to-be-catalyst-for-new-development%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v4\/2022\/03\/29\/second-trunk-road-to-be-catalyst-for-new-development%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Trunk Road to be Catalyst for New Development\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A major infrastructure project that is set to boost rural development in Sarawak is the construction of the Second Trunk Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A mega project funded by the Sarawak Government, the Second Trunk Road aims to reduce travel time and distance from southern to central Sarawak by connecting the Coastal Road Network with the Pan Borneo Highway \u201cthrough the shortest and most efficient route\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A table illustrating travel distance and time from Kuching to Sibu via the Coastal Road Network, Pan Borneo Highway and Second Trunk Road. Graphics from The Borneo Post<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Currently being implemented and expected to be completed in 2025<\/a>, the road will begin at Kota Samarahan and pass-through rural towns including Simunjan and Sebuyau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Sebuyau, it will be divided into two routes that will be linked with the Pan Borneo Highway: one route leading to Roban, while the other to Lingga, Simanggang and Betong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A section of the Second Trunk Road will connect Sebuyau to Betong. File photo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It will also connect to the Coastal Road Network via bridges crossing Batang Sadong, Batang Lupar and Batang Saribas. Under the project, one new bridge will be constructed at Simanggang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, the road will end at Sibu through a new road that will provide a shortcut from Bintangor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that from Kuching to Sibu, travel time via this road is expected to be around two-and-a-half hours, compare to about five hours for both the Coastal Road Network (excluding time taken for ferry crossings) and the Pan Borneo Highway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part of the Second Trunk Road will link with the Pan Borneo Highway. Photo from Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak Facebook page<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For the Government<\/a>, the Second Trunk Road, in being an alternative route to existing highways in Sarawak, is expected to enhance land connectivity for Sarawakians, especially for those who reside in rural areas of southern and central parts of the State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Then Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak YB Datuk Haji Julaihi Bin Haji Narawi (third right) during a visit to the project site of Sarawak Second Trunk Road Package B1 in Sebuyau on 4 October 2021. Photo from JKR Sarawak<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is not only part and parcel of its efforts to improve road network in Sarawak, but also its goal of opening up new areas for socio-economic growth through infrastructure development as it strives to become a high-income state by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By providing greater access to vast unexplored lands and better equipped facilities, amenities and utilities found in urban areas, the Government looks forward<\/a> to supporting the rural population to uplift their standard of living and the private sector to expand their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such support will come in form of the generation of opportunities through the stimulation of economic activities including the modernisation of agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing that can be further developed for export market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, the Government believes, can bridge the income gap between the rural and urban populations, reduce the level of poverty, and ensure balanced development across Sarawak in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Components of the Second Trunk Road<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of the Second Trunk Road is divided into three sections or \u201cpackages\u201d<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A map showing the Second Trunk Road, divided into Packages A, B and C. Image from Sarawakvoice.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n