Sejingkat Bridge opens to public, 12 of Sarawak’s 21 mega bridges now complete

Uggah (front row, sixth left) and other distinguished guests pose for a group photo at the newly-opened Sejingkat Bridge, Kuching, on Oct 5, 2026.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 5: The RM365.7 million Sejingkat Bridge has opened to the public today, marking the completion of the 12th of Sarawak’s 21 mega bridge projects and creating a new direct link between the Kota Samarahan and Sejingkat sides of the Sarawak River.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the 1.281-kilometre bridge, with another 200 metres of approach roads on both sides, was originally scheduled to open at the end of this month but was completed ahead of schedule.

“We are very proud to be standing here today at the Sejingkat Bridge crossing the Sarawak River.

“From today, following the ceremony, the bridge will be open to the public for people to cross from one side to the other,” he told reporters after the soft opening ceremony at the Sejingkat Bridge here today.

He said the bridge would make it easier for residents on both sides to travel between the areas, including those commuting to Petra Jaya, industrial areas and Kuching International Airport.

For motorists from Kota Samarahan, the bridge will also provide an alternative route to Sejingkat without having to rely solely on the existing Kota Samarahan–Kuching route, once the remaining road connection under the DC3 package is completed.

Uggah said the DC3 package, which is a road project rather than a bridge, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

“This will connect Kota Samarahan to Sadong, to Sri Aman and off to Sibu,” he said.

Sejingkat Bridge. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR)

He said the Sejingkat Bridge forms part of the Second Trunk Road, which is intended to shorten travelling distances while opening up economic areas along the route.

Uggah said the completion of Batang Lupar 2 Bridge in Sri Aman would further reduce the distance and travelling time along the corridor, with the route currently involving about 496 kilometres being reduced to just over 240 kilometres.

He said Batang Lupar 2 is expected to open by the end of October.

Uggah said 12 of Sarawak’s 21 mega bridges had now been completed, with another four expected to be ready within the next two to three months, while the remaining bridges are targeted for completion next year.

“This is an effort by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to ensure the dream of building these 21 bridges becomes a reality,” he said.

Uggah also highlighted the distinctive feature of the Sejingkat Bridge, which crosses the diamond-shaped island.

He said the feature was unique in Malaysia and could put the bridge in the Malaysian Book of Records.

Meanwhile, Uggah said the Second Trunk Road would eventually connect further towards Sebuyau and Sri Aman, helping shorten journeys between Kuching and Sibu.

He also pointed to the 11.8km elevated road being built between Samarahan and the Batang Sadong Bridge as another significant infrastructure project, particularly as the area involves peatland.

He said the elevated design was adopted to avoid damaging the peatland and was in line with the environmental sustainability objectives under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

Beyond the trunk road network, Uggah said Sarawak was also continuing to expand its Coastal Road network, which would complement the existing Pan Borneo Highway.

He said the State’s long-term road connectivity plan also included upgrading about 5,700 kilometres of former logging roads in the interior as part of the final stage of rural road infrastructure development.

“With all these projects, by 2030 Sarawak will be able to achieve its ambition to connect most of the villages in Sarawak,” he said.

On the next bridges to be opened, Uggah said the Batang Paloh Bridge was expected to open by the end of October, followed by Batang Lupar 2, while the Rambungan Bridge was targeted for completion by the end of the year.

He said efforts would be made to accelerate the Rambungan Bridge works, with hopes of opening it by late November.

The 21st mega bridge is targeted for completion next year. — DayakDaily