By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 19: Construction work for the new Batang Samarahan Bridge 2 and a 9km four-lane dual carriageway R5 road, connecting Batang Samarahan to Batang Sadong has commenced.
The project is part of the Second Truck Road (STR) package, and will cost nearly RM530 million to build.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo said the project undertaken by Ibraco Construction Sdn Bhd and under the supervision of Public Works Department (JKR) Samarahan Division is scheduled for completion in February 2027.
“This project will also be integrated into the broader STR network from Batang Samarahan bridge to Batang Sejingkat (bridge) which comprised three more packages. when combined with Sejingkat bridge connection, the total road length spans approximately 17km.
“The other loop from Batang Samarahan bridge to Batang Sadong also measures around 17km. So altogether, this extensive network covers roughly 34km,” he told a press conference during a visit to the project site underneath the Batang Samarahan bridge today.
Aidel, who is also Sadong Jaya assemblyman, emphasised that once completed, this new expressway will definitely reduce the travelling distance between Batang Samarahan and Batang Sadong to Sejingkat, as well as to Kuching.
More importantly, he added that it will also significantly reduce traffic, especially along the Kota Samarahan Expressway as coastal residents can drive directly to Kuching via Sejingkat, therefore bypassing Samarahan.
“Additionally, there is another ongoing road project under package D3C, which spans from Batang Samarahan bridge to the middle section of Tanjung Bako in Sejingkat, measuring roughly 17km of single carriageway R5 standard, which has been undertaken by a rescue contractor Alvin Engineering Services Sdn Bhd.
“This project costing nearly RM107 million is scheduled to be completed by February 2026. So hopefully in 2026 and 2027, all these road projects will be successfully completed.
“Imagine with a 17km road from Batang Sadong to Sejingkat, and another 17-km stretch from Batang Samarahan to Sejingkat, the journey from Batang Samarahan bridge to Kuching will take about 17 minutes, as compared to now having to bear with the hours of traffic jams along the Samarahan expressway,” he explained.
Aidel also underscored the importance of the existing coastal road network, which would be connected with major bridges such as Lassa, Igan, Batang Lupar, Passi in Tanjung Manis, and Krian.
He noted that when combined with the soon-to-be-completed STR from Kuching to Batang Sadong, Sebuyau, Lingga, Sri Aman, and Betong, as well as the nearly finished Pan Borneo Highway, these road networks will not only serve the population but also open the door for further development and implementation in these areas.
JKR Sarawak Coastal Second Trunk Road Branch senior principle assistant director Ir Teo Nguong Leong and JKR Samarahan Division engineer Indra Sakti were present. — DayakDaily
