Dr Sim: Second bridge project in Batu Kawa in land acquisition phase

KUCHING: The proposed second bridge project in Batu Kawa is currently in the land acquisition phase.

Deputy Premier and Batu Kawa assemblyman Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the design of the bridge project is nearly completed and the project will proceed to the tendering stage once the land acquisition is finalised.

“Therefore, I hope, at the latest, the project will be able to be tendered out by the beginning of next year,” he said.

He said this to reporters after attending the Malaysia Clean-Up Day 2024: Mega Cleaning Programme in conjunction with the World Clean Up Day 2024 held at Desa Wira Hall here today (Sept 28).

Dr Sim further said the project will also include the construction of a dual carriageway.

It was previously reported that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved this project under the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (2023) as part of the effort to alleviate traffic congestion in the Batu Kawa area.

The second bridge in Batu Kawa worth RM160 million, will see a dual carriageway spanning over 5 kilometre (km).

Meanwhile, the new dual carriageway will start from the Jalan Batu Kawa/Matang traffic light connection at Moyan, cross Sungai Sarawak, and join the traffic light junction at Tan Sri Wee Boon Ping Road and Stephen Yong Road.

Additionally, a 3-kilometre link road from Stephen Yong Road traffic lights through Segudup to Matang will also be constructed to ease congestion and reduce driving time for Batu Kawa residents.

The project would be implemented by the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak through four stages: consultant appointment, geological survey, land acquisition and public bidding/tender.