By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 11: The RM366 million Sejingkat Bridge project, a critical component of Sarawak’s Second Trunk Road network, is experiencing a 7.3 per cent delay following the collapse of a form traveller in March this year, with the revised contract completion date now set for February 2026.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo disclosed that the physical progress currently stands at 52.45 per cent compared to the scheduled 59.75 per cent.
“This is the starting point of what we call the Second Trunk Road network in Sarawak — beginning with this iconic dual carriageway, cable-stayed bridge across Sungai Sarawak at Sejingkat,” he said during a site visit and project briefing at the Sejingkat Bridge construction site near Demak today.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, who is also Demak assemblyman, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni was present.
Aidel added that while the delay was caused by a technical issue—the collapse of one of the form travellers used to support bridge construction—the contractor has responded swiftly by ordering two new sets of form travellers from China to continue the work.
Despite the delay, the contractor has pledged to deliver the project before June 2026, with the official contract completion now set for February 2026 instead of the initial January 2025 deadline.
The Sejingkat Bridge project comprises a span cable-stayed bridge across the Sarawak River, six-span approach bridges on both the Tanjung Bako and Sejingkat sides, and a combined 2km road widening and new approach roadworks at both ends. The bridge itself spans 1.28km in length.
Aidel emphasised the bridge’s significance as part of the larger Second Trunk Road initiative, which aims to improve connectivity from Kuching to Samarahan and beyond, eventually linking to Batang Sadong, Sebuyau, Sri Aman, Betong and parts of Sarikei.
“For this section, there are three packages — the Batang Sejingkat bridge itself, and two adjoining road sections between Tanjung Bako and Sejingkat. The latter are already completed, while the section connecting to Batang Samarahan is still ongoing and expected to complete by September 2026,” he said.
Once the Sejingkat Bridge and the adjoining Batang Samarahan link are completed, motorists can travel from Kuching to Batang Samarahan via a new 17km route, bypassing the congested Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.
He shared that a traffic study estimated that 25 to 30 per cent of existing traffic on the expressway could be diverted to this new route, easing congestion significantly.
“I believe most of the traffic including coming down from Sebuyau and Batang Samarahan will be diverted to this section later on,” he said.
The Second Trunk Road will eventually connect to Sarawak’s future deep-sea port and Kuching International Airport in Tanjong Embang, just across the river from Kampung Goebilt, reinforcing the project’s long-term economic and logistical importance.
Aidel also provided updates on other key infrastructure projects, including the Sungai Lingga Bridge — scheduled for completion next month — and the Batang Lupar Bridge in Sebuyau, which is expected to be ready by year’s end. These form part of the state’s broader Coastal Road Network, linking Sempadi in Lundu to Miri via a series of major bridges.
“These roads and bridges projects will complete the Coastal Road Network and Second Trunk Road which will ultimately enhance connectivity across Sarawak.” he added.
He noted that ongoing monitoring efforts have significantly reduced the number of “sick projects” in Sarawak from over 100 pre-pandemic to fewer than five today, thanks to monthly inter-agency meetings and proactive intervention from his ministry.
“We are closely monitoring every single project in Sarawak — whether it is a People’s Project, under the Malaysia Plan, or otherwise. These infrastructure developments are vital to Sarawak’s growth and connectivity,” Aidel affirmed. — DayakDaily
