AMSTERDAM: The Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak has recently clinched the Roads and Highway Category at the prestigious Bentley Infrastructure 2025 Going Digital Awards, held in Amsterdam.
The award recognises the Sarawak–Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 Project, a flagship initiative that highlights JKR Sarawak’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
PWD director Datuk Dr. Cassidy Morris, accepted the award on behalf of the department.
“We are proud to showcase the digital innovation used in sustainable project delivery of infrastructure. Particularly for the SSLR2 project, the nature of the project and environment in the hilly terrain of northern Sarawak necessitates sustainable project delivery,” he said in his recent statement.
He also highlighted to the judges how PWD implemented comprehensive digitalisation, innovative applications, with sustainable outcomes.
“Beyond the SSLR2 project, PWD plays a big part in raising the benchmark on sustainable infrastructure project delivery through leading in the policy and implementation for projects in Sarawak and Malaysia.
PWD Sarawak beat two other finalists in the Roads and Highways category, namely Arcadis (Australia) for the Warringah Freeway Upgrade and PowerChina ZhongNan Engineering Corporation Ltd. (China) for the Ecological Highway from Detian Transnational Waterfall to Shuolong Border.
PWD Sarawak was listed among global finalists selected from nearly 250 nominations across 47 countries.
This international recognition highlights the department’s leadership in leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and digital twin systems to enhance productivity, resilience and engineering excellence in its projects.
SSLR Phase 2 is a major infrastructure project aimed at improving road connectivity between Sarawak and Sabah.
Stretching over challenging terrains, the project adopts advanced digital solutions to optimise design, construction and maintenance, while ensuring minimal environmental impact and improved road safety for users.
According to Bentley, infrastructure professionals continue to deliver better, more resilient infrastructure despite many global challenges, from climate change to infrastructure workforce shortages.
The Bentley Going Digital Awards is an annual global competition that honours outstanding infrastructure projects that drive digital innovation and set new standards in the industry.
