Teku-Pasai Siong To Kemuyang Road Works Set To Begin After Gawai Festival

SIBU, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The construction of the new Teku Pasai-Siong Road connecting to Kemuyang is expected to commence after the Gawai Festival this year.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the 6.172-kilometre elevated road is expected to bring significant changes by reducing travel time from Teku Pasai Siong Road to Desa Kemuyang from 36 minutes to just seven minutes once completed.

The RM89 million project constitutes Package One of three road construction packages. Package Two involves the upgrading of Teku Pasai-Siong Road to Universiti Teknologi Sarawak Roundabout into a dual carriageway, while Package Three covers the upgrading of Persimpangan Taman Desa Kemuyang Road towards Sibu-Bintulu Road to meet JKR R5 standards.

“This is part of our efforts to further develop Sibu, which is necessary for the implementation of the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Master Plan,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Kemuyang today.

He said the road will be built as an elevated structure using the Building Industry Modelling (BIM) method for swampy areas.

“I have asked JKR to adopt a new method for constructing this road. Building roads on the ground as usual may be cheaper initially, but due to the swampy soil, the road will sink, and maintenance costs will be high,” he explained.

The road project, which was tendered on Jan 4, is expected to be completed within two years.

As one of the key initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the project demonstrates Sarawak’s strong commitment to enhancing connectivity and stimulating socio-economic development in the area.

The project is anticipated to have a significant impact on the local population by providing more efficient infrastructure and better road access.

It is also expected to serve as a catalyst for the growth of residential and commercial areas in Sibu, further boosting the town’s competitiveness and economic attractiveness.

-- BERNAMA