By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 17: Motorists could start using the long-awaited Sejingkat Bridge across the Sarawak River as early as Oct 1, 2026, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said the contractor currently has no major issues with manpower or funding, while favourable weather conditions have also allowed construction to progress well.
“We are indeed very happy that we all agree that the cars will flow through this bridge by Oct 1, 2026. Not 2027,” he said during a media session after inspecting the final stitching works of the Sejingkat Bridge today.
Stretching 1,281.2 metres, the dual-carriageway Sejingkat Bridge is being built to JKR R5 standards. The main structure features a cable-stayed bridge with three spans measuring 200 metres, 400 metres and 200 metres, while the Tanjung Bako and Sejingkat approaches each comprise three 40-metre prestressed concrete T-girder spans.
The RM365.74 million project is being undertaken by KACC Construction Sdn Bhd, with Minsar Consult Sdn Bhd serving as the Civil and Structural Engineering Consultant and OPUS Consultant (M) Sdn Bhd as the Project Management Consultant.
The project’s current scheduled completion date is Oct 22, 2026.
The completion of the bridge is expected to provide a more direct route for communities in Kota Samarahan and Serian travelling towards Demak Laut, Petra Jaya and surrounding industrial areas, without having to pass through Kuching city centre.
Uggah said this could help divert a significant portion of traffic away from the city centre and ease congestion, particularly as Kuching and its surrounding areas continue to grow.
“Kuching is indeed experiencing many traffic jam problems, but with this we hope they will be reduced,” he said.
He further said the Sarawak government has also instructed the Public Works Department (JKR) to conduct a traffic study for Kuching to determine what new infrastructure or upgrading works are needed to further address congestion.
The Sejingkat Bridge is part of the Sarawak Coastal Road network, connecting with the D3B and D3C sections and providing connectivity towards Kota Samarahan, Pakan and eventually Miri.
Uggah said the bridge will be the 12th major bridge completed under Sarawak’s ongoing infrastructure programme, with 11 already completed.
He added that several other major bridges, including those at Paloh, Saribas 2, Rambungan, Limbang and Miri, are also part of the State’s bridge development programme.
Meanwhile, Uggah said around 58 smaller bridges are currently under construction under the Rural Bridge Transformation Programme to improve connectivity for communities in rural and interior areas.
He said the programme focuses particularly on replacing problematic timber or log bridges along former timber roads.
Uggah also said the Sejingkat Bridge is fully funded by the Sarawak government and forms part of its efforts to upgrade infrastructure under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
He also dismissed claims that the bridge would affect the operations of Pending Port, saying the port remains fully operational.
“Pending Port is still operating in full swing. So whatever allegation that was made is not accurate at all,” he said.
Uggah said Sarawak is looking beyond its existing port facilities as the State anticipates continued economic expansion, with plans for a future deep-sea port at Tanjung Embang to cater to growing trade and investment. — DayakDaily
