Julaihi: Coastal road works packages to be out by next year
SEBUYAU: The tender for all 23 packages to improve and rehabilitate the existing 896km stretch of Sarawak’s coastal road would be issued by next year, said Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
He said to date, tender for two packages had been issued – Package PA3 from Sungai Nyalau to Bakam in Miri covering a distance of 10.5km, and Package PA4 covering the 9.65km stretch from Sungai Buluh to Kampung Ladong in Sebuyau.
“The state government has allocated RM500 million to improve and rehabilitate the existing coastal road, which is divided into 23 packages and we target that the tender for all the packages be issued by next year.
“When the tender for all the packages have been issued, we hope to complete the improvement and rehabilitation of the coastal road either by 2021 or 2022,” he told reporters after launching the works to commence on Package PA4, worth RM11.7 million, here yesterday.
The Sebuyau assemblyman said works on Package PA3 had kicked off, while the tender for works on Tambirat and Asajaya would be issued next month.
He pointed out that tender for all the packages would be carried out via open tender and meant for Bumiputera contractors.
Julaihi also said the improvement works on the coastal road would include the building of bridges to replace ferry services, and also construction of new roads.
Tender for the construction of the Batang Lupar bridge should be issued by the end of this year, while construction of other bridges such as those crossing Batang Rajang, Muara Lassa, Batang Paloh, Kuala Kemena and Batang Saribas had started, he added.
Julaihi said the new roads to be built would include an alternative route from Kuching to Samarahan to reduce the present traffic congestion, and the 10km Buntal-Bako Road, which had been approved and is now under the design stage.
“New roads between Sarikei and Tanjung Manis and Jepak to Kuala Kemena Bridge will also be built,” he added.
According to him, the Sarawak government is also allocating funds for the construction of the Rambungan and Batang Igan bridges, which were supposed to be federal-funded projects but were not given priority by Putrajaya.
“The state government is aware of the commitment to connect rural and coastal areas by roads, for the people to have access and to gain economically,” he pointed out.
On the coming Sarawak budget to be tabled next month during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, Julaihi believed that it would be people-oriented, with a focus on building infrastructure in the rural areas.
“I am positive and confident that the state budget will be people-centric, taking into account the welfare of the people including housewives and fishermen in the state.
“This is because the state government knows about the needs and welfare of the people.”