LUNDU: The state government is currently replacing all eight single-lane bailey bridges along the Lundu-Sampadi Road with permanent two-lane concrete bridges.
The superintending authority over the project is the Unit Head for the Coastal Road and Second Trunk Unit (CSTRU) of JKR Sarawak. Others involved are project management consultant Opus Consultant (M) Sdn Bhd, project consultant Jurutera Minsar Consult Sdn Bhd, and the contractor for the proposed Batang Rambungan Bridge which is Precious Credence JV Ghezhouba Sdn Bhd.
According to a press statement from the state Public Works Department (PWD), the RM11-billion coastal road network and second trunk road commissioned by the state government would take five years to complete.
Planned to connect Sarawak’s major coastal towns such as Sematan, Buntal, Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Meludam, Pusa, Kabong, Tanjung Manis, Daro, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri, the roads will benefit 1.9 million people.
The roads will boost socio-economic growth by facilitating and easing travel major towns to the rural areas.
The coastal road network project has three components. First, replacing existing ferry crossings with concrete bridges at Batang Rambungan, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Sungai Krian, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa and Batang lgan.
Second is the construction of “missing links’ such as Jalan Pasi to Jalan Sibu-Tanjung Manis including Batang Rajang Bridge, Bintulu-Jepak Bridge crossing Kuala Kemena and the proposed second Kuching-Samarahan Trunk Road including one bridge spanning Sarawak River.
Third, the 331km out of the 896km of coastal road will be upgraded and rehabilitated. There are 23 packages in total inclusive of bridges and rehabilitation of the tarmac. Two packages were recently awarded and 21 packages will be tendered out soon.
