By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 25: A new permanent bridge will be built at Lorong 2, Kampung Matang Batu 9 here, to restore connectivity for approximately nine houses cut off after the previous bridge collapsed.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development) Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the new bridge will be built by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) at a cost of RM730,000.
“The construction will start within this year. The JKR will carry out some design work and proceed to call for tenders to build the bridge,” he told reporters during a visit to the site today.
Meanwhile, Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said the old bridge was severely damaged two years ago due to frequent heavy rains and overflowing waters from the Mount Serapi catchment area.
“Two years ago, funds from the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) were allocated to repair the bridge, but it was compromised again due to heavy rains and flooding from the mountain.
“We were only able to make temporary repairs to keep the bridge accessible for residents living beyond it.
“However, these solutions are insufficient because each time there is flooding, it cuts off the connectivity for those residents,” he explained.
There are about nine houses with 50 to 60 residents in total living beyond the bridge at Lorong 2, Kampung Matang Batu 9, Kuching. — DayakDaily
