MIRI: A long-standing access and safety concern for residents of Kampung Pujut Tanjong Batu here has been addressed with the completion of a new concrete bridge under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) 2024.
Minister for Transport, who is also Senadin assemblyman, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said the RM250,000 project replaced the village’s ageing timber bridge, which had deteriorated to the point where further repairs were no longer practical.
He said the new concrete bridge was the fourth and final bridge in the village to be upgraded, completing a series of infrastructure improvements aimed at providing safer and more reliable access for residents.
“The old wooden bridge had been there for a long time and could no longer be repaired. Through the RTP allocation for my constituency, we secured RM250,000 to replace it with a new concrete bridge,” he said during a site visit to the completed project at Jalan Tanjung Batu here today.
Lee said the completed bridge, together with improvements to drainage crossings and smaller waterways in the area, had significantly improved connectivity for villagers travelling in and out of Kampung Pujut Tanjong Batu.
However, he stressed that completing the physical structure was not the end of the work, as additional safety measures were still required around the bridge approach.
“Although the project has been completed, there are still improvements that need to be made, particularly in terms of safety,” he said.
Lee said four guardrails would be installed at the entrance and exit points of the bridge to prevent vehicles from accidentally entering a large roadside drain, particularly at the junction approaching the bridge.
He added that the matter had been raised with Miri City Council, whose engineer was present during the site visit and had agreed to look into the necessary works.
“We need to install four guardrails here for safety. If vehicles are not careful, they could end up in the large drain. This is an important safety measure for motorists and other road users,” he said.
Lee also said Miri City Council would look into improving the road surface at the junction, where part of the approach remains unfinished, to ensure a safer and smoother connection to the new bridge.
He stressed that the additional works reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructure projects delivered tangible benefits to the community beyond their initial completion.
Kampung Pujut Tanjong Batu headman, Usman Sulaiman, also expressed appreciation to Lee and the Sarawak Government for their continued support in improving basic infrastructure in the village.
He said residents had seen significant improvements over the years, including better road access, electricity, drainage and other essential facilities.
“We are very grateful to Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin for his continued support. The village has seen a lot of progress. What we did not have before, we have today, including better roads, electricity and drainage,” he said.
He also thanked Miri City Council, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) for their continued assistance in addressing infrastructure and drainage issues in the area.
He said maintaining the drainage system remained important, particularly during heavy rain, as blocked drains could quickly lead to flooding.
“Thankfully, the drainage system is now in good condition. We hope the relevant agencies will continue to help maintain and improve it so that it remains effective,” he said.
The RTP project commenced on December 8, 2025 and was completed on April 7, 2026.
Lee said the completed bridge would provide villagers with safer and more convenient access while strengthening connectivity within Kampung Pujut Tanjong Batu.
The additional guardrails and junction improvements will further enhance the safety and usability of the newly completed infrastructure.
