By DayakDaily Team
SEBUYAU, July 30: The 4.8-kilometre Batang Lupar 1 Bridge, poised to become the longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia, is now 84 per cent complete and expected to be fully operational by mid-2026, following minor delays due to technical issues at the construction site.
According to a TVS and UKAS news report, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said work is progressing steadily, with the first phase of the bridge connection targeted for January 2026, followed by the second phase in March.
“One of the causes of the delay is an issue at Pier 52. However, the contractor has assured us that the problem will be resolved soon.
“We discussed earlier that the bridge could be ready for use by the Gawai Dayak celebration in 2026. We hope all outstanding issues can be addressed promptly. The government will continue to monitor the progress closely,” he said during a working visit to the project site in Sebuyau today.
The RM848.7 million bridge, launched on Jan 7, 2021, is part of the Sarawak government’s initiative to enhance the coastal road network and eliminate reliance on the longstanding ferry service between Sebuyau and Triso, which has long served as a critical connection for local communities.
It is one of 16 major bridges currently under construction across Sarawak.
Uggah, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak remains actively engaged on the ground to assess, study, and respond to any emerging issues.
“Our goal is to minimise the number of problematic projects in Sarawak,” he stressed.
He also revealed that another major infrastructure project has commenced at Miri Marina, involving an investment of RM6.53 billion.
“The government hopes these large-scale expenditures will directly contribute to Sarawak’s economic growth through enhanced infrastructure,” he said.
Earlier, Uggah was briefed on the latest status of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge by JKR Sarawak director Ir. Ts Dr Cassidy Morris, alongside technical representatives from Perbena Emas and the Sebuyau District Office.
Also present were Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang and Sebuyau District Officer Ayuradiman Bujang. — DayakDaily
