By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 23: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will today mark the fulfilment of a long-standing promise with the official launch of the Bintulu-Jepak Bridge, dubbed the ‘San Francisco Bridge of Bintulu’, a landmark project poised to boost connectivity and unlock vast economic potential for the region.
Speaking during the grand opening of Imperial Hotel Bintulu today, Abang Johari said the bridge symbolised the second wave of development for Bintulu, a commitment he made upon assuming the role of Chief Minister in 2017.
“Upon being appointed as your Chief Minister in 2017, I promised that I will continue with the development of Bintulu under what I call the second wave of development, where we will open up new areas, including across the river in what is now called Kampung Jepak.
“The first thing I promised to the people in Bintulu was to build a bridge that will connect the other side of Bintulu and the original Bintulu town. Today, I am delivering on that promise,” he said during the event which was streamed live via Ukas Channel.
The RM466.7 million Bintulu-Jepak Bridge, which had a soft opening on March 23 this year, will be officially launched by Abang Johari tonight at 8pm.
The four-lane dual carriageway bridge spans 1.2 kilometres across the Kemena River and includes a striking cable-stayed section measuring 494.2 metres, with a main span of 267.6 metres, giving rise to its “San Francisco” nickname.
A 3.5-kilometre access road accompanying the bridge links major thoroughfares including Jalan Ahmad Zaidi, Jalan Tun Razak, and Jalan Abang Galau, providing seamless connectivity and significantly reducing the travel distance between Bintulu Airport and the town centre from 22km to just 6.4km.
Abang Johari said the strategic infrastructure will open up Jepak and its surrounding areas for further development, similar to how Petra Jaya in Kuching rose to prominence after being connected by a bridge.
“I did mention before that this would be called Jepak Jaya, just like Petra Jaya in Kuching, connected by a bridge,” he said.
The Bintulu-Jepak Bridge marks the beginning of Jepak Jaya and the realisation of Sarawak government’s vision for a more developed, connected Bintulu.
The bridge is not only an architectural and engineering feat, but a symbol of Sarawak’s commitment to inclusive development that spans urban and rural divides.
Earlier, the Premier also lauded Bintulu’s growing role in Sarawak’s broader economic roadmap, driven by strategic investments in industrial zones, port infrastructure, and now, better transportation access through landmark projects like the Jepak Bridge. — DayakDaily
