Batang Lupar 1 Bridge To Drive Sarawak's Coastal Growth - Abang Johari

KUCHING, July 9 (Bernama) -- The opening of the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge marks a significant milestone in Sarawak's infrastructure development and is expected to spur economic growth, agriculture and investment across the coastal districts of Sebuyau, Betong, Sri Aman and Samarahan, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the bridge, which spans Malaysia's longest river, is a strategic piece of infrastructure that will transform development along the state's coastal corridor by improving the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce.

"Today is a historic day as we have completed the connectivity linking Kuching, Sri Aman and Betong, including Samarah, areas that previously depended on ferry services.

"We know there were many issues with the ferries in the past, including tragic incidents caused by strong waves and winds at the mouth of the Batang Lupar River. The construction of this bridge was driven by requests from the local community, conveyed through both former and current elected representatives, to connect these areas," he told reporters after officially opening the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge today.

The 4.844-kilometre bridge, built for RM848.75 million, is a key component of the Sarawak Second Trunk Road (STRR), which is being developed to provide a more efficient and modern coastal road network.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the bridge ends the long-standing dependence of residents on the Sebuyau-Triso ferry service.

Douglas Uggah, who is also the state's Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said the bridge forms an integral part of the RM3.21 billion Sarawak Coastal Road network under the STRR project, which is scheduled for full completion by 2030.

He said the new road network will reduce the travelling distance between Kuching and Sibu from 396 kilometres to 252 kilometres, shortening the journey by about 144 kilometres.

"With the completion of this bridge, the ferry is now history. In the past, crossing from one side to the other could take up to an hour, and bad weather often disrupted the journey," he said.

At the ceremony, the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the longest bridge spanning a river in Malaysia. The certificate of recognition was presented by MBOR representative Megat Faris Hussein Megat Muzaffar Shah.

The recognition further cements the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge's status as a new engineering landmark in Sarawak and a symbol of the state's ongoing transformation through major infrastructure development.

-- BERNAMA