Bario folk will soon be able to travel safely by all-weather roads to neighbouring villages, including Pa Lungan and Pa Dalih when connecting road infrastructure projects are completed by the end of this year and early next year.
The projects will facilitate the transportation of agricultural goods in this region famed for its Bario rice, pineapples and Tenum essential oil.
The road projects, implemented by the Highland Development Agency (HDA) under RECODA, will upgrade a 28km stretch of earth road from Bario to Pa Dalih in the south. Also upgraded is another 12km earth road northward to Pa Lungan, the border settlement in the greater Bario region.
Both projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year and early next year respectively.
During a recent work trip to the region, Highland Development Agency (HDA) Deputy Chairman and Mulu State Representative YB Dato Gerawat Gala was briefed on the project status by project consultants.
Despite challenges such as continuous heavy downpour and several landslides along the path, the construction of the roads are expected to proceed through overtime work with additional machinery and manpower.
Slope protection works will also be carried out at locations where there are recent landslides. Additionally, an imported Bailey bridge will be installed at the river of Pa Lungan.