Several major projects to upgrade and build roads have been planned and are being implemented, said Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid during the Second Meeting of the 21st Legislative Council Session yesterday.

Bids for upgrading highways and main roads including road widening works to increase road capacity are expected to be opened in October for the Tungku highway – from the Rimba flyover to the Gadong Estate flyover; Jalan Tutong – from the Jalan Tanjong Nangka intersection to Jalan Ikas Bandung; and Jalan Muara – from Jalan Aman to the Jalan Salambigar intersection.

The construction of flyovers at the intersection of Jalan Utama Mentiri and at the intersection of Jalan Muara, and Jalan Penghubung Tanah Jambu was completed and opened last Saturday.

The construction of flyovers at the intersection of Muara-Tutong highway and Jalan Penghubung Tanah Jambu, near the Tanjong Kajar Industrial Estate, began on February 23, 2023 and is expected to be completed in September 2026.

The minister said there are 18 projects involving the repair and resurfacing of damaged roads being carried out on a scheduled basis. Of the 18 projects, seven term contracts have been completed where 7.778 kilometres (km) of main roads have been repaired and repaved: namely Tungku highway and Jalan Masjid Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (3.5km); Jalan Kebangsaan (0.670km); Jalan Utama Mentiri (0.4km); Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway (Airport Bound) (0.583km); Jalan Gadong (0.820km); Lumut-Belait Highway (1.4km) and Jalan Jerudong (0.405km).

Meanwhile, eight other road maintenance contracts are being implemented, two awaiting approval from the national tender board and one to be re-tendered, which includes main roads.

Paving works on rural roads are also not left behind and the use of new technologies is also used in repair and resurfacing works to ensure road durability and extend the life of the road.

The minister said the use of asphalt fibre reinforcement or fibres in the asphalt mixture is to increase the durability of the asphalt layer from cracking and undulation.

The installation of fibreglass reinforcement grid increases the strength of the road structure to be more resistant to traffic loads and prevents uneven roads and cracks, he added.

The polymer used in the roadbase (or stone) mixture is able to produce a layer that increases resistance to water and traffic loads, which is expected to reduce damage such as potholes and cracks, he said.

(News & pic source: Borneo Bulletin)