Sarawak’s First Road Tunnel and New Road Projects Gear Towards Minimising Environmental Impact

Sarawak’s infrastructure development is taking a major step toward eco-friendly engineering with the construction of the state’s very first road tunnel, the Bukit Pagon Tunnel.

Spanning 2.24 kilometres, the tunnel is a key feature of Package 4B under Phase 2 of the Second Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) project. Beyond drastically cutting travel distance from a 22-kilometre mountainous detour down to just seven kilometres, the project stands out for its strong emphasis on minimising environmental impact.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, highlighted that the state is actively adopting sustainable, low-impact engineering practices across major infrastructure works.

Sustainable Engineering: Key Environmental Initiatives

During his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas outlined five major projects led by the Public Works Department (PWD) that prioritize nature conservation alongside modern connectivity.

Headlining the initiatives is the Bukit Pagon Tunnel (SSLR Phase 2) which is using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

By tunnelling directly through the terrain rather than executing extensive hill cutting and deforestation, the project significantly reduces surface land disturbance, prevents soil erosion, and protects surrounding mountain ecosystems.

Aside from the tunnel, the Sarawak government is also building elevated highway structures instead of traditional surface roads to protect delicate forest floors and natural habitats.

Projects involved feature an 11-kilometre elevated highway on Batang Samarahan – Batang Sadong Bridge Project (Package A1-B), a 798.6-metre elevated viaduct designed to safeguard sensitive peatlands and maintain wildlife corridors on the Sedilu National Parkand a 700-metre Segmental Arch System to minimise the construction footprint on local ecosystems at the Jalan Teku-Pasai Siong to Kemuyang, Sibu project.

The government is also using the Water Bag Surcharge Technology for the Sebuyau-Lingga Highway (Package B1) which will see water-filled bags used to accelerate soil consolidation on soft ground.

This technology reduces the need for mass earth excavation and quarry materials, lowering carbon emissions associated with material transport while stabilizing road embankments.

Article source: Sarawak Tribune