KUCHING: The Sarawak government is expanding the road connectivity throughout the state via two mega projects worth RM11 billion.
Infrastructure and Port Development Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the two mega projects which will take over five years to complete would benefit 1.9 million people across Sarawak.
“These are designed to connect Sarawak’s major towns along the coastal areas, such as Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.
“The projects will boost socio-economic growth along these areas by increasing connectivity and providing a safer and more convenient accessibility from major towns to rural areas,” he said at the 21st Divisional Engineers Conference 2019 dinner here on Thursday.
Julaihi said the coastal road project consisted of three components.
“First component is the replacement of seven ferry services together with bridges located at Batang Rambungan, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Sungai Krian, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa and Batang Igan.
“The second component is to connect the ‘missing link’ at Pasi, Sarikei/Tanjung Manis Road, Mukah including the Batang Rajang bridge, the construction of Bintulu/Jepak bridge crossing Kuala Kemena; and the proposed second link of Kuching/Samarahan road inclusive of bridge construction crossing Sungai Sarawak at Demak Laut,” he explained.
The third component would include upgrading works to the present Sarawak Coastal Road.
Julaihi said the package for Batang Lupar Bridge 2 was currently under the final stage of tender evaluation.
“The remaining ten packages are still in tender documentation preparation stage,” he added.
He believed that JKR Sarawak has the ability and capabilty to execute the task.
“I believe that our JKR engineers, especially those who are posted at the divisional level are capable to implement the projects,” he said.
