By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 18: Construction to upgrade Jalan Matang Baru under phase two, spanning 4.44 kilometres from Matang Jaya to Jalan Matang/Jalan Batu Kawa-Matang junction, has been slightly delayed, with the completion date now revised to July 2, 2025.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo said that although the project is currently 1.92 per cent or 12 days behind schedule, the physical progress has been satisfactory under the rescue contractor.
He noted that the previous contractor was terminated due to unsatisfactory performance.
“The current progress is at 27.57 per cent compared to the scheduled 29.49 per cent,” he told a press conference after attending a briefing providing updates on several projects in Kuching Division at the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak Kuching Division Office along Jalan Batu Lintang here today.
The project, with a contract sum of RM54.6 million, involves upgrading the present two-lane single carriageway to a four-lane double carriageway. It also includes upgrading of existing junctions at Matang-Kopodim junction and Matang-Batu Kawa Link, resurfacing works, embankment treatment, culvert construction, drainage and pavement works and new road lighting.
Regarding the Rambungan Bridge project, which also faced contractor termination due to poor performance, Aidel explained that it is currently in the tender evaluation process, with the tender expected to be awarded next month (August 2024).
“The project was terminated at 55 per cent completion rate, leaving the centre tower and bridge connection as works on ground have been completed.
“A rescue contractor will be appointed following a series of retender processes by JKR Sarawak. We are hopeful for the resumption of the project soonest possible,” he said, highlighting that the bridge is a crucial part of the coastal road network to link Sampadi to Lundu.
Construction of the Rambungan Bridge, the longest river-spanning bridge in Malaysia, started on Dec 17, 2019, after the Sarawak government took over when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government cancelled its implementation in 2018.
It was scheduled to be completed within 36 months or by Dec 16, 2022, but various factors caused delays.
The 560-metre-long bridge, which cost RM98.5 million, was built by a local contractor in collaboration with a company from China. It replaces the ferry service to connect Kuching-Lundu-Sematan.
Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman was present at the briefing. — DayakDaily
