3 Sarawak bridge projects progressing smoothly, says Fadillah
KUCHING: The three major bridge projects in the state, which aim to connect Sarawak’s coastal highway from Kuching to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, are proceeding smoothly.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the preliminary phase of the projects, which cost a combined RM1.43 billion, showed “positive progress”.
The Batang Igan Bridge, said Fadillah, had entered the engineering and value management stage to determine the work scope involved in its construction.
“As for the Batang Rambungan Bridge, a consultant has been appointed to finalise the design of the facilities.
“The same goes for the Batang Lupar Bridge project, which will be funded by the federal and state governments,” he said here yesterday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, during his visit to the state last year, said the government had approved the construction of the Batang Lupar Bridge at a cost of RM1 billion.
Spanning 5km across Sungai Batang Lupar, the bridge is set to become the longest to cross a river in the country. Its construction is scheduled to begin early next year.
The Batang Igan and Batang Rambungan bridges, meanwhile, come at a cost of RM300 million and RM130 million.
The construction of the three bridges are the precursor to Najib’s vision of connecting Sarawak via two road networks; the Pan-Borneo Highway and Coastal Highway.
The highways have been touted as an economic game changer for the state.
Fadillah said the Traffic Management Programme (TMP) had been activated to facilitate the construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway.
Apart from minimising traffic inconvenience, he said, the standard operation procedure was also meant to ensure the safety of motorists in affected routes during the construction of the multibillion-ringgit highway.
“Projects involving road constructions, such as the Pan-Borneo Highway, will usually lead to traffic diversions and will cause inconvenience to road users.
“To mitigate these problems, TMP will allow parties involved in the construction to issue trafficdiversion notices,” he said.
He sought the patience and cooperation of road users during the construction of the highway.
“I hope motorists will give their cooperation to the authorities whenever there is a diversion for the highway’s construction.”
The construction of the first phase of the Pan-Borneo Highway in the state involves 11 work packages worth RM16.49 billion.