DARO: The Sarawak government will spend some RM11billion over the next five years to construct a coastal road network and second trunk road.
A statement from the state Public Works Corporate Communication branch said the two mega projects are designed to connect Sarawak’s major towns along the coastal areas such as Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri, benefitting 1.9 million people.
The projects will boost socio-economic growth along the coastal areas by increasing connectivity and providing safe and convenient accessibility from major towns to the rural areas.
The projects will also enhance the present coastal road connectivity by reducing travelling time (eliminating waiting and travelling time on ferries).
Meanwhile, Muara Lassa Bridge will eliminate the ferry waiting time by approximately 45 minutes. The waiting times are much longer during festive seasons due to long queues.
It will also reduce the government’s annual expenditure for ferry services and improve the quality of infrastructure to support the SCORE Development Corridor.
The project components of Muara Lassa Bridge consist of construction of a 2.43km long two lanes single carriageway balanced cantilever reinforced concrete bridge; construction of a 0.67km approach road (0.27km on Pulau Bruit and 0.4km on Daro side); and widening of 1.2km existing road on Pulau Bruit and 1.4km on Daro side.
The RM597.581 million project was contracted out to Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit Sdn Bhd which would take 48 months to build.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the earth-breaking ceremony for the bridge yesterday.
