Limbang: The Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) project will be a key driver of connectivity and development in northern Sarawak, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He emphasized that the project, involving the Lawas and Limbang areas, is part of the state’s broader road network plan aimed at connecting regions currently separated by Brunei Darussalam.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta met with technical teams from the Sarawak and Federal Public Works Departments, the Ministry of Works, and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) to align on the technical implementation of the NCH project. This meeting in Limbang reflects strong collaboration between the Federal and Sarawak state governments.
Nanta highlighted that the NCH will provide an alternative domestic route connecting major towns such as Miri, Limbang, and Lawas, eliminating the need to pass through Brunei. This development is expected to reduce dependence on the Miri-Temburong-Limbang route, which currently involves four immigration checks.
The NCH project includes the construction of a new 87.96 km road, 10.16 km of access roads, 27 main structures, 44 bus stops, eight pedestrian bridges, and four Rest and Service Areas (RSAs). Key components are the iconic bridges over Sungai Limbang and Kuala Lawas. Five sections of the project are underway under Phase 1, with completion expected by 2030, covering three sections in Limbang and two in Lawas.
Nanta stated that the project is more than just building roads; it is about creating a future infrastructure network to support the economy, tourism, and logistics, thereby improving the well-being of the people. The NCH will also complement the Pan Borneo project by focusing on the northern coastal region and providing a crucial link between Sarawak’s central and southern regions, Brunei Darussalam, and Sabah via the Merapok border.
He concluded by noting that the project exemplifies how regional development strategies can be achieved through effective collaboration between agencies and governments.