SAMARAHAN: Sarawak is planning a seamless dual carriageway linking Sebuyau to Kuching, with the 28km road now under construction between Kampung Sungai Ladong and the Batang Lupar Bridge set to form a key section of the future corridor.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development) Datuk Ir. Aidel Lariwoo said the road, currently being built under the Second Trunk Road programme, is planned for upgrading into a JKR R5 standard dual carriageway connecting the Batang Lupar Bridge to the Batang Sadong and Batang Samarahan bridges before continuing to the Sejingkat Bridge.
“When the entire corridor is completed, it will be possible to travel from Batang Lupar Bridge to Kuching through a continuous dual carriageway in just over an hour,” he said after inspecting the project site yesterday (July 8).
Aidel said the completed corridor would span about 70km from the Batang Lupar Bridge to the Sejingkat Bridge, creating a more direct and efficient route between the coastal region and Kuching.
He added that the upgraded corridor would also feature about 14km of elevated roads, including an 800m section crossing Sedilu National Park and another stretch of almost 13km extending from the proposed Batang Sadong Bridge towards the Lumayan area.
“It will be among the longest elevated road sections we have ever constructed and is an important feature of this project,” he added.
The deputy minister added that the Sarawak Government intends to upgrade the entire stretch from the Batang Lupar Bridge to the Batang Samarahan Bridge into a dual carriageway as part of its long term infrastructure plans.
He said the project forms part of the state’s wider Second Trunk Road and Coastal Road programmes, which are fully funded by the Sarawak Government.
“The Second Trunk Road and Coastal Road programmes alone involve investments of about RM11 billion. This demonstrates the state’s commitment to delivering major infrastructure projects using its own resources,” he said.
According to the project fact sheet, the 28km road project carries a contract value of RM524.83 million, with physical progress reaching 17.23 per cent as of June this year.
Overall, the project is scheduled for completion on Aug 2, 2028.
