LIMBANG: The Ministry of Works will set up a special taskforce next month to focus on its projects in Sarawak under Budget 2014.

Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the taskforce would focus on weeding out logistics and resource bottlenecks affecting the smooth implementation of projects approved for the state.

Under Budget 2014, RM500 million has been allocated for the Trans-Borneo Highway Project, while another RM200 million would go to other projects in Sarawak.

“The question is do we have capacity to deliver if there is enough machinery, materials and people with the funds approved, and this taskforce will address these issues to ensure that the money is spent wisely,” he said yesterday when inspecting the site of slope protection work at KM0.8 Limbang Airport Road.

Fadillah said the emphasis would be to improve road safety with overtaking lanes every 1km and redevelopment of high-risk stretches, which could take up to two years.

He pointed out that this could include straightening, realigning or widening roads with over 100 overtaking lanes proposed for Sarawak, with a focus on the Sibu-Miri stretch.

A total of RM20 million would go to five areas in Betong identified as accident-prone as well as for upgrading projects with the first of four phases to start next month.

On a proposed by-pass road, he said the ministry would defer to the views of Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak where the good relationship between all is the main criteria.