BATANG IGAN BRIDGE
BY TANIA LAM & NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: The Batang Igan Bridge will complete the set of bridges needed to fully connect the coastal road network, said Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
He said parts of the route interrupted by wide rivers had been connected by bridges, namely Batang Sadong Bridge and Batang Samarahan Bridge.
As for the upcoming bridges, he said they included those at Batang Rambungan, Kuala Kemena, Batang Limbang, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Sungai Krian, Batang Rajang, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa and Batang Igan.
“So this completes the bridges which we have to build along the coastal road,” he said in an exclusive interview at his office in Baitul Makmur Building here today.
He said that the bridge would especially benefit those residing in Pulau Bruit, Daro, Matu, Igan, Dalat and Mukah — adding that the Mukah Division currently had a population of about 110,000 people.
He said that aside from benefiting this population, the bridge would also cater to people from Sarawak’s northern, central and southern regions who also travelled along the coastal road.
“This means that the Batang Igan Bridge is one of the many strategic bridges which we must build in Sarawak,” he said.
According to Julaihi, the Batang Igan Bridge would cost approximately RM300 million and would have an iconic cable-stayed design.
“The length of the bridge will be 1.6km and it will have a vertical clearance of 26m,” he said, adding that this clearance would provide suitable leeway for ships to pass.
He said that the state government would also build approach roads from both sides of the bridge — one from the direction of Oya, Igan with a length of 1.4km and another on the Matu, Daro side with a length of 700m.
“These two roads need to be built so there are suitable routes to the bridge,” he explained.
He said that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the earth-breaking ceremony for Batang Igan Bridge tomorrow.
“This ceremony will mark the commencement of work on the site. Aside from that, we need to share the right information and facts with the public, especially the community in Mukah Division and around Igan where the bridge is located,” he said.
Julaihi said that the Batang Igan Bridge is one of three bridges in Mukah, with the other two being Muara Lassa Bridge and Batang Paloh Bridge.
