By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 28: The reconstruction of Satok Suspension Bridge, which started on Sept 2017, is expected to be completed by December this year.
Currently, piling works have been completed, while structural works are at 60 per cent completion.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the bridge was being rebuilt because it is an iconic bridge for old Kuching.
“The Satok bridge was an iconic bridge for the old Kuching town. After its collapse, the Sarawak government decided to rebuild it just to remind us what it was like then.
“We need to be reminded of how much we have moved forward. History is good for all of us, lest we forget where we were before,” Masing told DayakDaily.
Masing, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, said the project was expected to be completed as scheduled.
A check on the ground revealed the completion of the two major structures on each bank of the Sarawak River.
The Satok Suspension Bridge, which is commonly known as Satok Yellow Bridge or ‘San Francisco Bridge’, was once a popular spot for courting couples and was the only way to reach Matang.
Elderly Kuchingites who grew up with the bridge would have fond memories of it.
The bridge was constructed in 1923 and completed in 1926 by architect AS Lowe to hold 0.3m water pipes connecting the reservoir in Matang with Kuching town.
It was 130 metres long, 2.3 metres wide and was suspended 18 metres above the river.
The bridge eventually gave in to wear and tear and was closed in 1992 due to safety reasons. It eventually collapsed in October 2004, after serving Kuching residents for 78 years.
The reconstructed Satok Bridge, which will span 213 metres by 3 metres is being rebuilt at the cost of RM8.05 million. — DayakDaily
