By DayakDaily Team
MUKAH, Oct 8: The 1.7-kilometre Batang Paloh Bridge is set to open to traffic on Oct 30, marking a major milestone in Sarawak’s efforts to strengthen road connectivity along the State’s coastal corridor.
The bridge, which forms part of the Sarawak Coastal Road Construction and Completion Project, Package 03, reached another key construction milestone today with the completion of its final structural connection during a Stitching Ceremony.
According to a media release, the ceremony was officiated by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, representing Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Constructed by the Sarawak government through Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, the bridge project has a contract value of RM298.98 million.
The bridge was constructed using the balanced cantilever method and post-tensioned concrete beams, with piling works carried out both on land and in the river.
The project also includes about 4.6 kilometres of connecting roads, comprising a two-lane single carriageway, with approximately 1,766 metres of road on Bruit Island and 2,876 metres at Tanjung Manis.
The bridge is equipped with two river navigation channels, each measuring 110 metres wide and providing 20 metres of vertical clearance to facilitate the movement of water transport in the area.
JKR Sarawak said the completion of the final structural connection represented one of the project’s major engineering milestones, as the bridge sections were joined to form a continuous crossing over Batang Paloh.
Once opened, the bridge will provide an alternative road link between Mukah, Sibu and Sarikei, complementing the Pan Borneo Highway and strengthening connectivity along Sarawak’s coastal areas.
The new crossing is also expected to reduce residents’ reliance on ferry services, with the existing ferry journey, which typically takes about 30 minutes, replaced by a road journey of only several minutes.
The improved connectivity is expected to provide residents, particularly communities in Bruit Island, Tanjung Manis and surrounding areas, with better access to schools, healthcare facilities, government administrative centres and economic activity.
JKR Sarawak said the bridge could also support the growth of trade, agriculture, fisheries and logistics by providing a more efficient and resilient transport network.
The project is part of the Sarawak government’s wider efforts to expand strategic infrastructure, improve connectivity between urban and rural areas and enhance accessibility for communities across the state.
JKR Sarawak said it would continue to ensure the project meets the required technical specifications, safety standards and quality requirements.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol and JKR Sarawak director Datu Ir Cassidy Morris were present.
