KUCHING, March 18: The construction of a bridge over Sg Sarawak at Sejingkat is slightly behind schedule due to a manpower shortage and the increasing price of building materials, said Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development (Infrastructure Development) Aidel Lariwoo.
According to Aidel, currently the progress is about 2.29 per cent (compared to 3.7 per cent if according to schedule), and is estimated to be delayed by about 71 days.
“As such I have requested the contractor involved to coordinate with Public Work Department (JKR) Sarawak regarding the matter,” he told reporters after attending a briefing session on the Proposed Second Kuching-Samarahan Trunk Road and Kuching and Samarahan Division by the contractor in Jalan Bako today.
Aidel noted that among other challenges of the project is the construction of two large tower-like pillars in the middle of the river.
He said it will be one of the tallest bridges constructed in Sarawak, which is 26 meters high to enable passage for large ships to enter the port of Kuching.
The construction of the 1281.1 meter bridge over Sg Sarawak at Sejingkat costs RM365,737,131 and is funded by Sarawak government. It is expected to be completed by March 2025.
Meanwhile, Aidel was also briefed by the contractor on the progress of Jalan Tanjong Bako Road Upgrading Project, including the construction of road connectivity from Tanjong Bako to Samarahan Bridge project.
He hoped that all three projects would be completed at the same time to complete the Kuching-Samarahan road network which would help reduce traffic congestion in both districts.
“From the Samarahan bridge, there will be a second shortcut for the coastal road as well and this will enable the residents in the coastal area to go use this route to travel from Sejingkat to Kuching,” he said. — DayakDaily
