KUCHING: The proposed Batang Lupar Bridge will be constructed at a cost of about RM800 million.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the length of the bridge is approximately five kilometres, which according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be the longest bridge in the country upon completion.
“The Batang Lupar Bridge is situated along the Sarawak Coastal Road linking the coastal towns from Kuching/Samarahan divisions to Triso, Betong Division and thereafter all the way to Miri.
“It is the second trunk road in Sarawak. If we travel using the second trunk road from Kuching to Trison, Betong, it will be less than 100 kilometres as compared to 240 kilometres using the First Trunk Road to Pusa and Triso,” Fadillah said in a press statement yesterday.
Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya MP, said the Batang Lupar Bridge will link coastal towns like Sebuyau in Samarahan to Triso; Maludam; Pusa; Kabong in Betong Division, thereafter to Selalang; Tanjung Manis; Matu Daro; Igan; Mukah; Balingian in Mukah Division then to Bintulu and Miri.
“Presently, people can use the First Trunk Road (Pan Borneo Road) and Sarawak Coastal Road but they need to use a few ferry crossings on the coastal road.”
Apart from Batang Sadong, Batang Samarahan and Batang Lupar bridges, he said seven major bridges and three smaller bridges were yet to be built.
The seven major bridges are across Sg Rambungan, Batang Saribas, Sg Krian near Pusa, Batang Paloh, Muara Lassa, Batang Igan and Batang Tatau, while the three other bridges are from Selalang to Tanjung Manis spanning 33 kilometres with three river crossings at Loba Semarang, Batang Sari and Batang Rajang.
“Currently, all these river crossings are served by ferry services.”
Fadillah said the construction of Batang Lupar Bridge was Najib’s commitment to the state after the latter received the request from the state government.
“The prime minister will put this (construction of Batang Lupar Bridge) into our election manifesto for BN Sarawak for the upcoming state election.”
Najib, on Sunday, said the Batang Lupar Bridge would be built to boost coastal development in the state.
“The financing of the project is to be done jointly by the federal government and state government. The federal government will contribute 50 per cent and the state government will contribute 50 per cent.”
He also said this project yet again showed the strong partnership between the federal and state governments. - Borneo Post
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