malaysiangThe construction of a bridge across Batang Rajang to connect the town of Kapit with the area on the other side of the mighty river is currently in the planning stage, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said.
He said that he had discussed with Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi about the plan and there is a high probability that the project would be financed by the federal government.
‘The concept is already accepted. Now, it is in the planning stage,’ he told reporters after visiting Package 01: Proposed Construction and Completion of Pasi Road to Sibu/ Tanjung Manis Road Including Batang Rajang Bridge project here today.
Last May, Nanta when officiating a new alternative road connecting Sibu Division with Kapit Division in Nanga Kabah, Kanowit, said that the proposed bridge crossing the Rajang River would be part of the alternative route.
He said the new road will provide land transportation access to residents along Batang Rajang who were affected after express boat o
perations ceased following the completion of the existing Sibu-Kapit Road in October 2021.
Meanwhile, Uggah who is also the State Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development said the Pasi Road to Sibu/ Tanjung Manis Road Including Batang Rajang Bridge project costing over RM321 million is expected to complete by March next year.
Upon completion, the road will shorten road travelling time between Sarikei and Tanjung Manis from the present two hours to only 45 minutes.
‘This new road also will open up all the land here for new economic activity and tourism for the people in this area and around Sarikei,’ he said.
Earlier, Uggah visited the road construction project connecting Sibu Jaya to Kong Yit Kim Road in Sibu and was satisfied that the 6.75 km-long road project costing RM104.4 million is expected to be completed in November 2024, a month ahead of schedule.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
