Building roads goes beyond laying asphalt; it connects communities, powers economies, and opens access to social services, healthcare, education, and commerce. Yet amid the growing challenges of climate change, road builders must find better ways to deliver projects that sustain both development and the environment. Sustainable infrastructure has become a responsibility, one that reduces environmental impact, preserves biodiversity, and serves communities for generations.
This vision lies at the heart of the Sarawak Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2, a project led by Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak (JKRS) in Malaysia. Spanning 335 kilometres, it forms the first continuous land link between the remote East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. The Malaysian government has initiated construction of the area’s first continuous land connection to the rest of the country to improve access and mobility for isolated communities in northern Sarawak.
“It will not only enhance national mobility and socioeconomic growth but also significantly improve access to education, medical care, and jobs for more than 70,000 residents in underserved communities, sparking economic activity in a region rich in agriculture and tourism potential,” wrote Megan Tigue, product marketing manager at Bentley Systems.
Building beyond asphalt
The SSLR Phase 2 project faced unique challenges: mountainous terrain, varying soil conditions, some of the heaviest rainfall in Malaysia, and hard-to-reach locations. There is also a need to manage multiple disciplines and stakeholders, address community concerns, and navigate frequent design changes. The project required integration and design capabilities beyond those of conventional 2D methods.
Moreover, road projects in ecologically sensitive regions face a key challenge: balancing development with environmental protection.
Abd Wahid Daud, head of engineering and design management at Maltimur Aktif Unggul JV, the project’s master contractor, emphasised their focus on sustainability. The team leveraged a digital system framework to map the design, construction, and handover phases, ensuring efficient information management across stakeholders.
“With everything stored in a secure, traceable platform, document control was easier, design reviews moved faster, and coordination improved across project zones,” Tigue explained.
Daud added, “We reduced our reliance on physical paper to communicate with designers and stakeholders, helping us cut our carbon footprint.”
The same framework provided 3D visualisations, enabling engineers to understand terrain conditions and anticipate challenges, saving time and reducing emissions.
Through digital tools, JKRS reported a 30% reduction in the project’s carbon footprint, aligning with Malaysia’s National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022-2030. This alignment underscores the country’s commitment to conserving biological diversity and promoting sustainable practices.
The policy, closely mirroring the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, contains five overarching goals, such as:
- Empowering & harnessing the commitment of all stakeholders to conserve biodiversity;
- Significantly reducing direct and indirect pressures on biodiversity;
- Safegurading all key ecosystems, species and genetic diversity;
- Ensuring that the biodiversity is used safely and the benefits from its utilisation are shared equitably; and
- Improving the capacity, knowledge & skills of all stakeholders to conserve biodiversity.
Protecting wildlife and sensitive habitats
As the SSLR cuts through ecologically rich terrain, technology also helps protect wildlife and habitats. Using satellite data and geospatial modelling, the team analysed land use and topography to avoid sensitive areas, including theUNESCO-listed Mulu National Park, known as the “most studied tropical karst in the world”.
“When we used the tech tools, we were able to reposition the alignment to avoid passing through protected areas,” Daud said. “That’s how technology helped us divert routes and reduce potential impact.”
He added that digital tools enabled them to visualise native land boundaries, collaborate with agencies such as Jabatan Perhutanan and WWF, and improve transparency in decision-making, leading to an 80% reduction in potential impacts on wildlife and protected areas.
Smart construction
Construction inefficiency often leads to financial loss and environmental waste. To address this, the team used advanced planning and simulation tools to visualise sequences and identify potential bottlenecks early.This approach improved logistics, reduced material waste, and enhanced time management.
Daud explained that they monitor contractors monthly using a three-month forecast based on the project’s critical path, helping them track progress and improve work sequencing efficiently.
Digital twins for long-term value
While SSLR Phase 2 was designed for a 60-month completion timeline, its benefits are built to last decades. By leveraging digital twin technology, a virtual model mirroring the physical road, JKRS can monitor assets, track performance, and plan maintenance with sustainability in mind.
The technology accelerated design by 50% and cut project costs by 30%, ensuring optimised asset performance, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced public safety.
“Asset performance can be optimised, maintenance costs reduced, and public safety enhanced. Apart from maximising the return on investment, we ensure sustainable infrastructure for generations to come by transforming roadway construction through digital twin excellence, said Cassidy Anak Morris, director of Public Works, Sarawak.
JKRS also plans to use digital twins to manage SSLR2’s lifecycle, ensuring year-round accessibility.
A new benchmark for Malaysia and beyond
Since July 2025, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been mandated in Malaysia for all building and infrastructure projects that cost more than RM10 million. The process, which involves creating and managing digital models of buildings and infrastructure throughout design, coordination, and construction documentation, signals the country’s growing commitment to sustainable, data-driven infrastructure.
As Malaysia builds toward a greener, more connected future, SSLR Phase 2 stands as a model not just for where it leads, but for how it was built: responsibly, efficiently, and sustainably.
The SSLR Phase 2 won the Roads and Highways Award at the 2025 Going Digital Awards by Bentley Systems, recognising outstanding innovation in infrastructure.
