LIMBANG, March 17: There is much work to be done for the long-delayed second Limbang bridge project, which faces a new deadline in April 2023 as work progress on the bridge stands at only 38 per cent at present.
The RM187-million bridge project that is fully funded by the Sarawak government with construction works commenced in 2017 aims to provide a vital and first international link between Limbang and Brunei.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Aidel Lariwoo has urged the Public Works Department (JKR) to closely monitor the work progress as well as the capability of contractors to ensure that the project can be completed as soon as possible.
“The second Limbang bridge project is important for the people in Limbang District as connectivity to the other side and to reduce the travel time to the Malaysia-Brunei border.
“However, this project has been delayed for too long and was supposed to be completed last year but until today, it has yet to be completed,” he said in a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) during a visit to the site at Kampung Pabahanan on Tuesday (March 15).
With new sub-contractors appointed to handle the construction works and adequate supply of building materials, Aidel hopes the bridge project will see better progress and the work expedited.
On the shortage of manpower at the construction site, he noted that the current number of workers was still insufficient but the subcontractors have given assurance that they would add more workers from time to time.
Also present during the visit were JKR Limbang Division assistant engineer Mahathir Jokeni, JKR Northern Region civil engineer Reynald Felton Nawin as well as Brooke Dockyard project engineers Narvindran and Freddie Sigar.
Meanwhile, the bridge which will be the first cable-stayed bridge in Sarawak comprised two structures across Sungai Limbang and Sungai Bunut and another across Sungai Lawas.
With an earth-breaking ceremony performed by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Oct 31, 2017, the project was initially scheduled for completion in 40 months by 2021.
Following major delays due to movement restrictions and Covid-19 pandemic, Abang Johari pressed for no more delay on the bridge project and on March 17, 2021 directed a task force involving contractors of Brooke Dockyard and JKR to hasten the construction works.— DayakDaily
