A collapsed section of the Pan-Borneo Highway between Tatau and Bintulu section (KM48 to KM49) in northern Sarawak should be fully reopened by Monday (Dec 17), says Bintulu DAP chairman Chiew Ching Sing.

Ching, who visited the site on Thursday (Dec 13) was briefed by highway engineers on the status of the repairs.

"Engineers are building two lanes to enable traffic to bypass the collapsed section.

"Both the lanes will be tar-sealed and opened by Monday (Dec 17) so traffic flow from Bintulu to Tatau and onwards to the rest of southern Sarawak should return to normal," he said.

The collapse occurred Monday (Dec 10) afternoon.

Chiew, who is also Tanjung Batu assemblyman, said that the highway builder is working around the clock to repair the damage.

Workers and the traffic police at the site are doing their best to alleviate traffic congestion there.

Chiew said initial reports revealed that soil erosion due to heavy rain had caused cracks along the affected portion of the highway.

The cracks eventually worsened, causing the eroded section to collapse.

Chiew said that the route is the main link between Bintulu and Tatau and the rest of southern Sarawak.

Traffic police at the site are diverting traffic to alternative village roads that connect Tatau to Selangau.