Chief Minister: Construction of coastal road to begin mid-2019

KUCHING: Construction of the first part of the coastal road will start in the middle of next year, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“The tender process is already out and by middle of next year, the first portion of the project (coastal road) will start,” he said at ‘Chief Minister with the Media: The Way Forward’, at Grand Margherita Hotel, here yesterday.

He said the coastal road project would also include the construction of bridges, namely, Krian, Muara Lassa, Saribas, Kuala Paloh and Batang Rajang, which are fully funded by Sarawak government.

The other three bridges connecting the coastal road are Rambungan, Igan, and Batang Lupar.

“As have been agreed with the previous federal government, Rambungan and Igan are funded by the federal government, while Batang Lupar is a 50- 50 per cent initiative between Sarawak and federal government.”

Abang Johari also said ferry fares across Sarawak might be abolished next year, adding that the matter is still being studied by Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation.

“Possibly by next year, the Sarawak government would abolish the fares for the use of ferry services across Sarawak.

“I will make an announcement on it next year,” he said.

He added it is within the Sarawak government financial means to abolish the fares to help people in the rural and coastal areas.