SEBUYAU: The journey between Kuching and Sibu will be shortened by 144 kilometres (km) once the Sarawak Second Trunk Road (SSTR) and Coastal Road network is fully completed.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the RM3.21-billion road network surrounding the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge comprised eight road projects across the Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong divisions.
He said the projects, implemented by the Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD), would complement the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge by improving connectivity along the coastal corridor while eliminating ferry crossings along the route.
“When the entire road network is completed, the distance between Kuching and Sibu will be reduced to just 252 km compared with 396 km via the Pan Borneo Highway, a reduction of 144 km.
“Ferry services will become history, and the entire route will be a dual carriageway.
“With the entire route built as a dual carriageway, it could take as little as two hours to travel from Kuching to Sibu,” he said.
He said this during the opening ceremony of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge, which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg here today.
The road network comprises eight packages, namely the Samarahan Bridge to Sadong Jaya dual carriageway, the elevated highway to Sadong Jaya Bridge, the Sadong Jaya to Sebuyau road, the Sebuyau to Lingga Bridge road, the upgrading of the Lingga Bridge to Bakong and Entulang road, the Batang Lupar 2 Bridge to the Pan Borneo Highway interchange in Betong, and the Saribas 2 Bridge to the Pan Borneo Highway interchange in Roban.
He said several projects were progressing according to schedule, with the Batang Lupar 2 Bridge link expected to be completed by September this year, while most of the remaining packages are scheduled for completion between 2027 and 2030.
Once completed, he said, the integrated road network would significantly improve accessibility between southern and central Sarawak while supporting socio-economic development and enhancing connectivity for communities along the coastal corridor.
