BINTULU: The construction progress of the Bintulu-Jepak Bridge in Kuala Kemena has reached 74.18 per cent as of February.
The Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) has said that the bridge is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.
In a brief video update on the project shared on its Facebook page, the department highlighted the project’s benefits to the local socio-economy.
“It will significantly reduce the journey from Bintulu Airport to Bintulu town from the current 22 km to 6.4 km when completed,” he said.
“This bridge will also accelerate the development of the Jepak area, which serves about 250,000 residents in Bintulu. It will act as a catalyst for investment in Tanjung Kidurong and the Samalaju Industrial Park, thereby enhancing the socio-economics of Bintulu residents,” he added.
The Bintulu-Jepak Bridge is one of the projects overseen by the Coastal Second Trunk Road Unit, with a contract value of RM466,679,497, and is being implemented by PPES Works-CCCC JV Sdn Bhd.
The project’s launch event was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the Sarawak Day celebrations in Bintulu on July 22, 2019.
Abang Johari noted that upon completion, the bridge is expected to have a comprehensive impact on the socioeconomic integration of rural areas.
He said that the bridge project was initially withdrawn by the federal government along with other bridge projects in Sarawak. However, the Sarawak government decided to proceed with the project, citing Bintulu’s significant contribution to Sarawak’s economy.
The completion was scheduled for 48 months, aiming for the end of 2023.
However, the implementation of the construction project has been delayed due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
