MUKAH, Sept 8: The RM598 million Muara Lassa Bridge will commence building following Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s Muara Lassa Bridge Earth Breaking Ceremony here today.
The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) in a statement today said once completed in 2023, the bridge would enhance the present coastal road connectivity by reducing travelling time by 45 minutes, the waiting time for the ferries between Pulau Bruit and Daro.
“The proposed Muara Lassa Bridge will eliminate the ferry waiting time for approximately 45 minutes for Muara Lassa. The waiting times are much longer during the festive seasons due to long queues,” said JKR.
The RM598 million bridge project is part of the Coastal Road Network and Second Trunk Road projects worth RM11 billion, commissioned by the state government and would span over five years to complete.
State JKR said the projects were designed to connect Sarawak’s major towns along the coastal areas, such as Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri, and would benefit some 1.9 million people of Sarawak.
“The projects will boost socio-economic growth along these areas by increasing connectivity and providing a safer and more convenient accessibility from major towns to the rural areas of the state,” said JKR.
Once the contraction of the bridge is completed, it is expected to reduce the state Government’s yearly expenditures for the ferry service, and improve the infrastructure supporting the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy Corridor (Score).
State JKR said the project components included the construction of a 2.43km long two-lane single carriageway Balanced Cantilever RC Bridge; construction of a 0.67Km of approach road (0.27km on Pulau Bruit and 0.40km on Daro side), and widening of 1.20km existing road on Pulau Bruit and 1.40km on Daro side.
The Project Management Consultant is OPUS Consultant (M) Sdn Bhd and Project Consultant is Jurutera Jasa (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, according to state JKR.
Quantity Surveyor for the projects is FCH Quantity Surveyors Sdn Bhd and the contractor is Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit Sdn Bhd. — DayakDaily
