A direct connection from Miri → Limbang → Lawas — without entering Brunei, and without passing four immigration checkpoints.
Sarawak’s northern transport network is about to undergo its biggest transformation in history.
The Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) — an 87.96 km, RM6.8 billion state-funded mega-infrastructure project — will soon become the new strategic highway linking Miri, Limbang, and Lawas, forming a complete three-highway network together with the Pan Borneo Highway and the Sarawak–Sabah Link Road.
This project is more than just a new road — it is the backbone for the next 10–20 years of growth in Northern Sarawak.
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Project Overview
• Name: Northern Coastal Highway (NCH)
• Chinese Name: 北部沿海大道
• Total Length: 87.96 km (four-lane dual carriageway)
• Additional Roads: 10.16 km of access roads
• Construction Start: Targeted for Q3 2025
• Completion: Expected in 2030
• Total Cost: RM6.8 billion (fully funded by the Sarawak Government)
• Lead Agencies: RECODA & NRDA
• Contractor: Gamuda × Naim Holdings (for key sections)
• Official Launch: By Sarawak Premier Abang Johari on 1 November 2025
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Two Major Segments of the NCH
The Northern Coastal Highway consists of two main sections that run across Limbang and Lawas. Once completed, the entire route will allow seamless travel without entering Brunei at all:
1. Limbang Section
• Length: 44.458 km
• Route: Tedungan ICQS → Pandaruan ICQS
2. Lawas Section
• Length: 43.502 km
• Route: Mengkalap ICQS → Merapok ICQS
Once fully connected: Miri → Limbang → Lawas can be travelled entirely within Sarawak — no Brunei, no checkpoints.
A historic breakthrough for Northern Sarawak.
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Features & Infrastructure
The NCH is designed to international highway standards and includes:
• 13 bridges
(including the iconic Kuala Lawas Bridge)
• 44 bus stops
• 8 pedestrian bridges
• 4 rest & service areas (R&R)
• 1 km elevated viaduct at Bukit Mas to protect sensitive environment
• Full four-lane dual carriageway
• 10.16 km of access roads
Built with Modern Technology
• Highway Information Modelling (HIM)
• Digital simulation engineering
• Environmentally friendly, long-term maintenance planning
• Enhanced safety, flood, geological and drainage systems
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Why the NCH Is One of Sarawak’s Most Important Strategic Projects
1. No more cross-border detours
Previously, travelling north to Lawas or Limbang required multiple entries into Brunei.
With the NCH, a fully Sarawak-based route will be established —
fewer border checks, shorter travel time, lower cost.
2. A new “Northern Economic Corridor”
The highway will create a fast, direct link between:
Miri (economic hub) — Limbang (cross-border town) — Lawas (gateway to Sabah)
A brand new urban and economic corridor will emerge across Northern Borneo.
3. Strengthening the Three-Highway Network
The NCH connects seamlessly with:
• Pan Borneo Highway
• Sarawak–Sabah Link Road
• Trans Borneo Highway
Turning Northern Sarawak’s road system into a truly international network.
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Economic & Regional Impact
As a flagship project under RECODA and NRDA, the NCH will:
✦ Dramatically enhance connectivity
• Link Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei
• Improve cross-border and intercity travel
• Create a continuous Miri–Limbang–Lawas economic corridor
✦ Boost regional industries
• Strengthen cross-border trade & logistics
• Promote tourism and eco-tourism
• Accelerate modern agriculture, fisheries & food industries
• Support the Lawas–Miri petrochemical and industrial corridor
✦ Drive town development
• Push Limbang and Lawas into their next growth phase
• Create jobs and attract investors
• Increase demand for housing and commercial projects
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Latest Update: Limbang Section Contract Awarded
The Gamuda × Naim Holdings joint venture has secured the RM1.13 billion Limbang section, marking a major milestone as the project moves into its early construction phase.
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Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) — The Future Spine of Northern Sarawak
This highway will reshape Sarawak’s transport map,
transform cross-border logistics and trade,
strengthen regional integration,
and usher in a new era of development for Northern Sarawak.
— Maltimur Resources
Do you think the Northern Coastal Highway will become the most important mega project shaping Northern Sarawak over the next decade?
