By DayakDaily Team
TANJUNG MANIS, April 28: The contractor for the Batang Paloh Bridge project has stepped up safety measures and river traffic management following 35 recorded incidents of vessel collisions with bridge infrastructure during the construction period.
In a TVS news, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo said the enhanced measures were introduced to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the waterway.
He explained that the incidents involved vessels navigating the confluence of Batang Paloh and Muara Lassa, an area previously regarded as one of the busiest river routes in the region.
“Several preventive steps have been taken by the contractor, including stricter safety controls and improved management of river traffic.
“As a result, the situation is now better controlled and collision incidents have been significantly reduced,” he said after inspecting the project site together with the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol today.
Aidel also noted that the area has been gazetted and is no longer permitted for use by large vessels.
He said earlier collisions had caused damage to parts of the bridge structure and led to minor disruptions in construction progress.
“However, the issue has been effectively managed and has not affected the overall implementation of the project,” he assured.
According to Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, the Batang Paloh Bridge, part of Sarawak’s coastal road network, has achieved 90.49 per cent physical progress and is scheduled for completion on Oct 3, 2026.
Once completed, it is expected to strengthen connectivity and further stimulate socio-economic development along Sarawak’s coastal corridor.
Next, the deputy ministers proceeded with a site visit to the new bridge construction project replacing the Bailey Bridge at Kampung Penuai, Kampung Betanak, Kampung Salah Kecil and Kampung Penipah in Pulau Bruit.
The project has achieved 56.49 per cent completion and is scheduled for completion on May 21, 2027.
Once completed, the project is expected to bring substantial benefits to local residents, particularly in Pulau Bruit, by improving safety, efficiency and reliability of connectivity between the surrounding villages. — DayakDaily
