Batang Saribas 1 Bridge. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (Japen)

Advertisement

By Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, Dec 3: Sarawak is investing a total of RM7.316 billion across 143 bridge projects to significantly enhance connectivity throughout the State, says the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who is also the Deputy Premier told the august House that the programme comprises 21 major bridges valued at RM6.92 billion and the Rural Bridge Transformation Programme (RBTP), which allocated RM396 million for 122 crucial rural bridge projects.

Advertisement

“The aim of RBTP is to replace old, damaged wooden bridges with safe, modern reinforced concrete structures and build new links in rural areas,” said Uggah during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.

As to date, the Ministry of Works (JKR) Sarawak has successfully completed eight major bridges, namely:

  1. Marudi Bridge
  2. Muara Lassa Bridge
  3. Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge
  4. Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang Tuanku Haji Othman Bridge
  5. Batang Saribas Bridge
  6. Lingga Bridge
  7. Batang Kemena (Sebauh) Bridge
  8. Datuk Amar Juma’ani Bridge

Uggah shared that the remaining major bridge projects are progressing on schedule, comprising of 10 bridges that are currently under construction with nine expected to be completed in 2026, and three bridges that are currently at the pre-contract stage.

“While for the RBTP, the status is as follows: 70 bridges under pre-contract; 30 bridges in tendering stage; and 22 bridges under construction,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily