The estimated cost to build a one-kilometre of tar sealed road can be between RM4.17 million to RM12.5 million.
This was in respond to the question from Abdul Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly on 12th November 2020.
For tar sealed mountainous terrain, the estimated cost to build one-kilometre road is estimated to be between RM6.3 million to RM10.7 million.
“This is according to the type of road standard built,” said Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak, YB Datuk Haji Julaihi Bin Haji Narawi.
For flat terrain, the estimated cost of one kilometre is between RM4.17 million to RM10.4 million.
Meanwhile, for peat soil, the estimated cost of one-kilometre is between RM5.7 million to RM12.5 million.
To plan the construction of roads in Sarawak, YB Datuk Haji Julaihi noted that the State government took into consideration the need to connect more than 6,000 settlements dispersed throughout the State.
“That is why we have the Rural Connectivity Program which includes the Rural Connectivity Program in the coastal areas and the Rural Connectivity Program on the second main road,” he said.
The other factors that are taken into consideration are potential to open new settlements and the traffic flow.
“We have to open up the area so that it will be as develop as any other areas or site or rather in other areas,” said YB Datuk Haji Julaihi.
As for traffic flow, he added that it is important to ensure road users can drive safely and comfortably.
When driving on standard road type JKR R1, the speed limit is 40km/hour while for standard JKR road type R3 and JKR road type R5 is limited to 70km / hour and 100 km/hour respectively.
