SIBU: Work on the 17km Jalan Pasi, which links Sarikei to the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub, will start in the second quarter of this year.
Coastal Road Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi told the press here yesterday that the two-lane road would be built on R3 and was expected to be completed in four years.
On the cost, he said this would only be made known once the letter of award was handed over to the successful contractor. Julaihi said the project would be funded by the state government.
The project also involved the building of the 1.2km Batang Rajang Bridge.
Tender for the project was opened last year and closed on Dec 26 the same year.
The project, Julaihi said, was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on April 29 last year during a Sejiwa Senada programme in Bintangor.
“Once completed, the project will serve as an important link for the coastal road network as it will reduce traveling time between Sarikei and Tanjung Manis and therefore, will facilitate the movement of people, goods and services between Tanjung Manis and other towns in Sarawak.
“Hopefully, this will encourage the opening up of more land to spur commercial, agriculture, tourism and other developments in the area,” he said.
Presently, the people in Sarikei Division have to drive all the way to Sibu before taking another road to Tanjung Manis, which covers a distance of 140km in 2 1/2 hours.
With the new road, it takes motorists from Sarikei only 45 minutes to reach Tanjung Manis.
On the Batang Rajang Bridge, Julaihi said they had agreed with the Sarawak and Sabah Shipowners Association, Sarawak Shipping Association and the Sibu Shipyards Association to increase its vertical clearance by six metres to 26 metres to allow for larger ships to pass through.
