KUCHING, May 21 — The Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge, linking Sebuyau and Maludam, which will open to traffic today, is the longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia.
The 1.7-kilometre-long Sungai Johor Bridge was previously the country’s longest river-crossing bridge.
Spanning approximately 4.8 kilometres across the Batang Lupar, the new bridge forms part of Sarawak’s wider infrastructure transformation under the Coastal Road Network and Second Trunk Road Programme aimed at improving connectivity between coastal areas and major towns.
Construction of the bridge officially commenced in March 2021. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is scheduled to perform the soft opening of the project this afternoon.
The project, valued at RM848.75 million, was undertaken by a joint venture between Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pansar Berhad, and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co Ltd.
With the bridge now fully completed and opened to traffic, the traditional Sebuyau-Triso ferry service has been phased out, ending decades of reliance on ferry crossings for residents and road users travelling between the coastal areas.
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, in his ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday, said, the opening of the bridge would make travel easier for the people, eliminating the need to wait for the ferry.
“With this bridge, the people can return to their hometowns easily in conjunction with the Hari Raya Haji and Gawai Dayak celebrations. There will no longer be any need to wait for the ferry,” said Abang Johari. — The Borneo Post
