KUCHING: The construction of the Batang Rambungan Bridge is expected to be fully completed according to schedule before December 2026, with physical progress recorded at 64.95 per cent as of January 2026.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, said the percentage of progress is expected to increase significantly once the required construction materials arrive in May 2025.
“In principle, the contractor had promised to complete the bridge construction as early as June this year, but several technical issues caused delays.
“However, they are still within schedule as the contract runs until May 2027, and the contractor expects the project to be completed before December 2026.
“Based on the current progress, a sharp increase will be seen once the bridge piers and deck are completed. That is our plan to expedite completion,” he said.
He said this during a media conference after attending a meeting and site inspection at the Batang Rambungan Bridge here today.
Aidel also assured that similar technical issues would not recur as the project is now in its final phase of completion.
“Previously, the contractor had to wait for special approvals not only from the Public Works Department (PWD) but also from the federal government regarding the concrete mix materials used. That issue has been resolved, and now we are leaving it to the project operator to complete the works,” he explained.
Commenting on the site visit, he said the inspection was conducted to ensure the contractor completes the Batang Rambungan Bridge project according to the set schedule.
“I am confident that the long-delayed bridge can be completed in the near future and opened for public use this year,” he said.
The Batang Rambungan Bridge project, costing RM82 million and spanning 560 metres, is now back on track following the appointment of a new rescue contractor after previously being classified as a sick project.
The first phase of bridge construction began in mid-December 2019 and was taken over by the Sarawak Government after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government cancelled its implementation in 2018.
However, the project was delayed again in 2023 due to several factors, before being taken over by Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd in 2024.
The new contractor was awarded a 30-month contract period starting from 19 November 2024 until 18 May 2027.
