KUCHING: Sarawak’s Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) will finally allow uninterrupted road travel between Lawas and Limbang without passing through Brunei, resolving decades-long cross-border dependency.
The first phase of the project is set to be completed by 2030.
Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said the project will directly connect the state’s northernmost districts with Miri and beyond, using only domestic routes.
He said the project also supports federal-state cooperation to ensure that road links in northern Sarawak are aligned with existing federal routes and Pan Borneo Highway.
“The NCH project will connect key towns like Miri, Limbang and Lawas without the need to pass through Brunei’s border, reducing reliance on the Miri-Temburong-Limbang route, which currently requires four immigration checks.
“This initiative addresses the geographical isolation of Sarawak, eliminating the need for road users to cross into Brunei for travel between districts.
“By improving mobility and economic access, the NCH will stimulate the growth and development of northern Sarawak, linking rural and urban areas more efficiently,” he said in a Facebook statement.
Nanta, who is the Kapit Member of Parliament, said the NCH spans 87.96 kilometres of new road and 10.16 kilometres of new access routes, with five work packages already under implementation in Limbang and Lawas.
He noted that two iconic bridges will be built across Sungai Limbang and Sungai Lawas to ensure full connectivity across major rivers.
He also said the highway will feature 27 major structures, 44 bus stops and rest areas, eight pedestrian bridges, and four dedicated rest and service areas.
“This is an example of federal-state collaboration, ensuring that the people of northern Sarawak will no longer need to rely on routes through neighbouring countries to reach adjacent districts.
“The NCH is not just a road project. It’s a network for the future – driving the economy, tourism, logistics, and most importantly, the well-being of the people,” he added.
