KUCHING: The approximately RM365.7 million Sejingkat Bridge project is now targeted for completion by June next year, with current construction progress recorded at 52.45 percent.
According to Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, said that the dual carriageway span bridge is experiencing a 7.3 per cent delay, with physical progress lagging behind the scheduled 59.75 per cent.
“This is mainly due to technical issues with the temporary structure known as the form traveller.
“However, the contractor is working hard to resolve this issue.
*In fact, they’ve committed to bringing in two sets of form travellers all the way from China to continue the work.
“Based on the latest contract revision, the project is scheduled for completion in February 2026, but the contractor aims to complete it by June and so the bridge should be ready by then,” he said during his working visit to the project site here today.
He added that the Sejingkat Bridge is part of Sarawak’s larger Second Trunk Road Network, which will strengthen connectivity between Sarawak’s coastal areas and major towns.
“So, the Second Trunk Road Programme is progressing well at the moment.
“In this specific section, there are three packages. One is the Batang Sejingkat Bridge.
“The other two, including the stretch from Tanjong Bako to Sejingkat, have already been completed.
“The adjoining section to Batang Samarahan is still under construction, and is expected to be completed by next year,” he added.
He said that by September next year, the Second Trunk Road stretching from Kuching to Samarahan and onward to Batang Samarahan, with a total length of 17 kilometres, is expected to be usable.
“Once completed, it will help ease traffic congestion.
“People from coastal areas will later use this new road, bypassing the congested Samarahan route entirely.
“That’s the aim of this section of the Second Trunk Road,” he said.
For the record, the cable-stayed bridge spans 1.28 kilometres across Sungai Sarawak, standing 26 metres above the river with pylons rising 119 metres.
“It also includes two kilometres of road approaches on both sides, linking Sejingkat to the already completed section at Tanjong Bako,” he said.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
