By DayakDaily Team
KOTA SAMARAHAN, June 11: The Second Kuching–Samarahan Trunk Road will eventually connect to Sarawak’s planned deep-sea port and the new Kuching International Airport in Tanjung Embang—reinforcing the project’s strategic importance in driving long-term economic growth and strengthening the State’s logistical infrastructure.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo said the alignment from Batang Sejingkat Bridge to Batang Samarahan Bridge via Kampung Tanjung Bako is a vital component of the broader Sarawak Second Trunk Road initiative, designed to link key areas from Kuching to Betong.
“Beginning at Batang Sejingkat Bridge, this stretch is divided into three construction packages. For location D3C where we are today, it covers seven kilometres of the total 17-kilometre route.
“The remaining 10 kilometres from Kampung Tanjung Bako to Batang Sejingkat have already been completed under an earlier package,” he said during a site visit to the proposed Second Kuching–Samarahan Trunk Road Project (D3C) today.
Aidel also revealed that this road will serve as the foundational link in future plans to connect strategic growth nodes such as Tanjung Embang, Batu Belat, Beliong, and Semilang Beradeh—areas earmarked for integration with the deep-sea port and airport developments.
“We want to ensure that once the master plan for the deep-sea port and new airport is finalised, this road will support a dual transportation network capable of meeting future logistics and connectivity demands,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of accelerating the supply of sand to support embankment works, given its critical role in maintaining construction momentum.
“We do not want this to become another delayed or abandoned project. Progress currently stands at 23.09 per cent compared to the scheduled 23.13 per cent—just slightly behind.
“However, we cannot afford complacency. Delays have mainly been caused by utility relocation, design changes, and shortages in raw materials, particularly sand,” he cautioned.
Classified as a rescue project by the Sarawak government, any further delays could have a domino effect on Sarawak’s long-term development strategy, especially in rural and coastal regions.
Aidel affirmed his ministry’s commitment to closely monitor the project’s progress and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the vision for Sarawak’s infrastructure transformation is fully realised. — DayakDaily
