S’wak to build more coastal and rural roads
LIMBANG: The Sarawak government will build more coastal and rural roads, including bridges, to connect rural and remote settlements.
Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said Sarawak needs road links that connect hinterland and coastal settlements, besides completing missing road links.
Julaihi said his ministry is preparing the tender for the Public Works Department (JKR), which will subsequently assess qualified contractors to build the over 900km of coastal roads connecting areas from Lundu in the south to Lambir in the north of Sarawak.
“We are targeting the latest by June next year to begin construction of the bridges and coastal roads as well as the missing links from the southern to the northern parts of Sarawak,” he said during a site visit for the Sungai Limbang second bridge project recently.
Julaihi said the government would also prioritise the upgrading of coastal roads.
For Limbang, he said the government will also improve road links by upgrading the 14km Ipai Pendam road ( RM14 million), proposed construction of the 16km Kampung BulantakLimpaku Pinang road ( RM91 million), construction of the 4km Rangau- Kuala Limbang road ( RM20 million), and construction of the Bukit Lubok, Kampung Seberang road (RM12 million).
“These coastal roads and bridges currently being implemented are alternative and significant routes to the rural population.
“Thus, once completed, they will not only change the landscape there but also boost the standard of living of the people,” he said.
On the Sungai Limbang second bridge project, he said work is progressing smoothly and expected to be completed by 2021.
“The 760-metre bridge worth RM187 million will be part of the main road connecting Limbang with Brunei and, subsequently, Lawas and Sipitang, Sabah,” he said.