‘Satok Suspension Bridge symbol of racial harmony’
KUCHING: The Satok Suspension Bridge across Sungai Sarawak linking Kubah Ria in Petra Jaya and Kampung Kudei on the other side of the river is a symbol of the state’s racial harmony.
That is the main reason why the iconic bridge is being rebuilt, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The suspension bridge was opened in late 1926 but it was closed to pedestrians in 1992 and it remained as such till it collapsed on Oct 7, 2004.
The proposed reconstruction of the bridge will enable pedestrians to cross the river to a new market at Medan Niaga Satok in Kubah Ria. When completed, it is also set to become a tourist attraction because of its historical value.
“The bridge has history and contributed much to the convenience of the people in the area. It was a generic masterpiece at that time, particularly on the aspect of engineering. Kuching will be a beautiful city complete with necessary and proper facilities so that people can interact,” Abang Johari, who is also Satok assemblyman, said at the earth-breaking ceremony for the bridge reconstruction at Medan Niaga Satok yesterday.
He was glad that after talking about the suspension bridge project several times, the last time in February this year, he was finally given the honour to officiate at its earth- breaking ceremony.
The chief minister added that Sarawak has many rivers for people to cross and therefore bridges would be built in phases for the sake of connectivity.
The major missing links to be connected by bridges are Darul Hana- Bintawa; RambunganLundu; Sungai Maong- Matang; villages in Bako area and the city central and area where the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex sits.
All of these bridges will contribute in ea sing traffic congestion, he added.
“Tok Nan (former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) said there should be no toll. So I also say there should be no toll on all of these bridges,” he said to the applause of the people attending the ceremony.
The RM8- million suspension bridge will be lighted up with LED bulbs, very much like the so- called ‘S’ bridge linking city central and the State Legislative Assembly complex area to make it a tourist attraction, and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports has been tasked to develop a river cruise as a tourism package.
On the ‘S’ bridge, Abang Johari said Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would unveil its name in due course.
On a related matter, he was also happy to note that a bridge will be built across Sungai Katibas to link Kapit with other major towns in Sarawak, adding he would not be surprised that one day remote Baleh in Kapit and Bintulu would also be linked by bridges.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said the proposed reconstruction of the Satok suspension bridge is an important project to replace the collapsed suspension bridge.
“When it was opened in 1926 for light vehicles and pedestrians, the main purpose of the Satok suspension bridge was to carry the (water) pipeline across the river.
“The proposed reconstruction of the Satok suspension bridge will provide benefit for pedestrians crossing Sungai Sarawak from Satok area to a new market at Medan Niaga Satok and to serve as a tourist attraction and destination,” he added.
The bridge is 213 metres long and three metres wide. It will be built at its original site.
For durability, all steel materials are protected from corrosion by hot dip galvanise, he said.