Masing announces Samarahan Bridge to be completed next February, construction of second trunk road

The much awaited Batang Samarahan Bridge will be completed in February next year, revealed Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing.

Construction of the RM93.8 million bridge began in January 2015 and it is now 66.13 per cent completed.

“While it is reported to be 10.89 per cent delayed due to unexpected hard strata during the foundation works, difficult work conditions caused by tides and  land dispute, the work is expected to speed up back to normalcy by June this year,” Masing told the media at Asajaya yesterday.

Once the bridge is completed, it will shorten the journey from Kuching through Samarahan to Asajaya and Simunjan.

According to Masing, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, the bridge would be 774 metres long and 14.845 metres wide.

Besides having two car lanes, it would also have two motorcycle lanes and two pedestrian lanes.

The Samarahan Bridge will connect Kampung Baru in Samarahan to Kampung Tambey in Simunjan.

On the proposed Batang Lupar Bridge, Masing said: “The total cost to build the longest bridge in the country will be RM1 billion and federal government will bear 50 per cent of the cost and the balance will be from the state’s coffers.”

Touching on the second trunk road, Masing disclosed that it would be divided into two phases.

Phase I will stretch from Samarahan to Roban, while Phase II be from from Sebuyau to Sri Aman/Betong.

He explained that it would take two years of feasibility studies and thereafter it will take another five years to implement the project, taking a total of seven years for the completion of the project.

“The proposed second trunk road will be built concurrently with the Pan Borneo Highway. It will shorten the journey from Kuching to Sibu by at least two hours.

“Under Phase I from Samarahan to Roban Town, the proposed road will have a distance of approximately 112km, while Phase II, from Sebuyau to Sri Aman/Betong will be 94km.”

Meanwhile, Masing was proud to say that all the bridges have been designed by local civil consultant engineers and architects.

“We are always worshipping the ‘Ang-Moh’ or westerners but our own local engineers and architects are just as good with many of them holding internationally recognised certifications. We must allow our engineers and architects to prove themselves as I believe that they are as good as anyone else in the world,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Peter Sibon, Lian Cheng & Rachel Lau

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