The RM16.5 billion toll-free Pan Borneo Highway, with 115 bridges, 25 elevated interchanges, three rest and service areas, and six lay-bys, is expected to be ready in June 2021.
The Sarawak portion of the highway covers a total length of 1,060km, out of which 193km is dual carriageway. The first package of the project linking Telok Melano and Sematan which cuts across the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary is already open to traffic from January 26.
While Lebuhraya Borneo Utara, the project delivery partner for the Pan Borneo Highway, has undertaken various measures to ensure environmental compliance throughout the construction phase, it should also look into the usage and social impact of the main artery in Sarawak.
While the entire highway will be toll-free, it does not mean that motorists could freely use it anyway they like. All entries and exits of the highway should be controlled, if not at least monitored, and all road users should be made aware they are under surveillance.
If non-motorised vehicles such as bullock carts, push carts, trishaws and bicycles are not allowed on the highway, there should be clear signage and strict enforcement. Likewise, for extra heavy vehicles or overloaded trucks, as they could damage the road surface.
Apart from enforcing the speed limit using static cameras at strategic spots, the public could be roped in to install quality dashboard cameras (dashcams) that could also be fitted facing the rear.
Dashcams capture driving offences that are the main causes of accidents such as dangerous overtaking, switching lanes recklessly, tailgating, crossing double lines, entering emergency lanes, jumping red lights and distracted driving when using the phone.
If a free-for-all is allowed on the Pan Borneo Highway, it would soon turn into a killing field. The best chance to ensure it does not degenerate to such a level is to inculcate the best behaviour of motorists from the start, which is now.
People take great pride for living in harmony and being hospitable to both locals and visitors alike. Sentiments or claims should also be translated into action and the Pan Borneo Highway offers the opportunity for Sarawakians to showcase their best behaviour for the world to see.
If so, the Pan Borneo Highway would be one of the epic road trips tourists must travel, whether by bus or driving on their own. Some may cover the entire length, while others may fly off from the many cities and towns along the way.
However, the planned number of lay-bys, rest and service areas are grossly inadequate. Lay-bys should be built where villagers are eager to sell their produce. If not, they would put up flimsy sheds by the roadside and vehicles could come to a sudden stop or parked indiscriminately.
If adequate lay-bys are built, no one should be allowed to put up any shed to sell their wares and this should be swiftly enforced to preserve the sanctity of the highway, which should not be spoiled by a few.
Likewise, giant billboards should not be allowed at spots that block scenic views. At natural environments, developments must be thoughtfully planned and controlled to benefit the majority.
A good example is where roads run very close to the beach in other places Hotels and buildings should not be built in between the road and the beach. All developments or man-made structures should be erected on the other side of the road so that the view of the beach, sea, boats and sky remain unobstructed.
While investors could build hotels, chalets and shops along choice spots of the Pan Borneo Highway, the local population should not be overlooked, as they should also benefit from tourism. Those involved in eco-tourism must ensure the sites are sustainable and prevent overcrowding.
Most local folk would benefit from community-based tourism, which could be providing homestay for visitors or selling food, foodstuff, souvenirs and other goods to those passing by. As most tourists would not know the best outlets or have the time to find them, tourism centres should be built in town and villages that can draw tourists.
As space in these one-stop centres is limited, only the best local food and produce should be sold here while other products could be sold nearby. In this way, many of these towns and villages would become famous for their local specialty.
But it would be unwise to offer wildlife as exotic food, as foreign tourists would not know whether they are allowed or banned. A picture or video of a slaughtered wild animal can cause untold damage to local tourism.
Likewise, roadkill must be swiftly removed from the highway and not left to rot, apart from minimising domestic and wild animals from crossing the highway, which pose a great danger to motorists, particularly at night.
If road safety is paramount, it would be prudent from the start to ban buses from making overnight runs along the highway, particularly when loaded with passengers. It is imperative that travelling along the Pan Borneo Highway should not be a nail-biting experience.
Lastly, fuel stations together with tyre shops should be built near entries to the highway so that tyre pressures can be checked accurately. Driving long distances on underinflated tyres could result in a blowout from overheating caused by flexing of the tyre wall.
The Road Transport Department should have drive-in facilities for heavy vehicles to pass through so that tyres failing inspection could be photographed, without enforcement officers and drivers coming into contact with each other.
Vehicles with damaged tyres or insufficient treads should not be allowed to continue the journey until the tyres are changed at the nearby tyre shop. Without intervention, these vehicles are like time bombs on the highway.
Making the Pan Borneo Highway safe requires a lot of planning, execution, monitoring, enforcement and maintenance. On the other hand, we can let it run by default and wish that all will be well, satisfied that the game changer will boost the economy and transform the lives of many.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
