‘Some stretches of Batang Sadong Bridge not even’

KUCHING: Some stretches of the RM211.3-million Batang Sadong Bridge, opened to the public on Oct 16 last year, were found to be uneven during an audit carried out by the National Audit Department in November and December last year.

The Auditor- General’s Report 2016 on Sarawak released yesterday stated that this is one aspect of the project that must be rectified by Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, although the project implementation is generally satisfactory and in line with the government’s objective to provide safe infrastructure.

“JKR Sarawak and the consultant should make sure the contract demands are complied with and the quality of work is at good level before issuing the ‘Completion of Work’ certificate,” it said.

The 1.48km bridge is currently the longest bridge in Malaysia crossing a river, and it has replaced the current ferry service across the Sadong River (Batang Sadong).

It was officially declared open by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Dec 19, not long after it was open to the public following a soft launch on Oct 16.

The report also mentioned that as at March this year, repair works to improve the uneven stretches had not begun.

The National Audit Department has, nonetheless, received feedback from JKR Sarawak that the uneven stretches have been included in the defect list.

On the other hand, the report mentioned that JKR Sarawak responded to the warning issued by National Audit Department on poor quality of work on the pier and parapet of the bridge.

It, however, said demands of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) for the project as stated in the Marine Traffic Risk Analysis to ensure river traffic safety had not been fully complied with.

The report recommended that SRB should be invited to hold joint inspection to ensure that demands regarding river traffic safety such as aid for navigation and signage are put in place.