SAMARAHAN: Sarawak’s first 11.8-kilometre elevated road has reached 2.68 per cent completion and remains on track for completion in August 2030.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the project would become another engineering landmark for the state, expressing confidence in the Sarawak Public Works Department’s (PWD) ability to deliver the technically challenging project.
“This is the first elevated road of its kind in Sarawak.
“I am very happy to see that this project is going to be another icon for Sarawak,” he told reporters after a working visit to the project site and a briefing on development projects near SK Sungai Bulu Senangeh today (June 30).
Uggah who is the Infrastructure and Port Development minister said one of the project’s biggest advantages was its lower maintenance cost compared with conventional roads built on peatland.
He said roads in the area were prone to potholes because peat soil was difficult to stabilise, resulting in frequent and costly maintenance works.
“If you drive along the existing road from Kota Samarahan, you will see a lot of potholes.
“By constructing an elevated road, we can reduce maintenance costs,” he said.
Uggah added that the elevated design also supported the state’s environmental sustainability agenda under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) by minimising disturbance to peatland.
He said unlike conventional roads that required extensive earth filling, the elevated structure only required bridge pillars, helping preserve the peatland while avoiding unnecessary environmental damage.
“Because of the elevated road, it will not damage the peat area. That is why the Premier advocates this approach, as it helps preserve the peatland and its carbon storage potential.
“We saw a similar elevated road in Brunei leading to the Temburong Bridge. It requires very little maintenance and does not affect the environment,” he said.
According to PWD Sarawak, the project involves the construction of a new 13.724-kilometre four-lane dual carriageway, with the 11.8-kilometre elevated road serving as its main feature.
