[3] The upgrading of the 1,663 kilometres (1,033 mi) highway to dual carriageway is a joint project between both governments, which was started in 2015.

In East Malaysia, the intercity highway plan only existed after the Second World War ended in 1945, after the states of North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak were ceded to Britain to become British Crown Colonies.

[7] The construction of the intercity highway network in Sabah and Sarawak intensified at a faster pace after both states participated in the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

After the Federal Roads Act 1959 was made effective in Sabah and Sarawak in 1984, those highways were re-gazetted as federal highways in 1996 with the route number of FT1 (from Sematan to Kudat through Brunei), FT13 (Mile 32 Sandakan to Tawau) and FT22 (Tamparuli to Sandakan).

[19][20] Under the rule of then BN government, led by Musa Aman, UEM, MMC and Warisan Tarang Construction Sdn Bhd is teaming up, forms UEM-MMC-Warisan Tarang JV Sdn Bhd via a joint venture (JV) and received their role as project delivery partner (PDP) via Borneo Highway PDP (BHP) Sdn Bhd in 2016.

In 2019, UEM announces that UEM-MMC-Warisan Tarang JV Sdn Bhd agrees the WARISAN-Pakatan Harapan government's decision to terminate their role as PDP.

Since then, the joint venture company would gave up their operation and gives the project to other contractors to continue, mostly to Public Works Department or Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).

This has caused the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project to be disrupted in the long run until September 2020.

In October 2020, new Sabahan government was established under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), led by Hajiji Noor, defeating Shafie Apdal's WARISAN in state election.

The contractors and WPCs involved are: In September 2023, The King of Malaysia, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Abdullah of Pahang visits Borneo Island (the journey also known as Kembara Borneo) and The King of Malaysia checking all the remaining Pan-Borneo Highway projects.

10 contractors were involved in this project, beginning with Samlig Resources Sdn Bhd (formerly JV with Ekovest before terminated in 2019 following project dispute) for works package (WPC01) which connects Telok Melano and Sematan in December 2015 as the first contractor and ended with Konsortium KPE Sdn Bhd for Sg.

At the same year, the kick-off project (KOP) Nyabau to Bakun Junction was completed and officially opened at 14 October by the representators of Sarawak Public Works Department, LBU, state government and Shin Yang Group.

The contractors were divided into different WPCs: In 2021, the new Durin Bridge's parallel was opened to public, as well as Serian 1 & 2, and Mile 4 1/2 Interchanges, the first flyover to be so.

Julau Interchange, one of two flyovers in Sibu, were opened to public as well as new 4 lane road towards Durin Bridge.