KUCHING: The Batang Lupar Bridge No 2 will be a new attraction in Sri Aman, about 190km from here, when it is ready by July 2025.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said the RM223.6mil bridge was currently 14 days ahead of schedule at 42.65% of completion.
"I'm happy with the progress but I hope it can be completed before June 2025. Then it will be a great Gawai gift to the people.
"I hope the Public Works Department (JKR) can facilitate this together with the contractor," he said when visiting the project site on Friday (March 15).
The Batang Lupar Bridge No 2 will be Malaysia's tallest cable-stayed bridge at 145.5m high.
Uggah, who installed its first stay cable during the site visit, said the bridge would have a car park and mini rest and recreation area for visitors.
He also said the new Sri Aman-Betong highway, starting from the bridge, would open up vast areas for agriculture and economic activities.
The 27.82km highway, part of the Second Trunk Road, would facilitate greater traffic volume between the two towns and other parts of Sarawak.
"It will shorten the travelling time from Sri Aman to Betong to about 20 minutes compared to one hour on the Pan Borneo Highway for a distance of 75km," he said.
Uggah also performed the earth-breaking ceremony for a new road from the Kejatau junction to the Batang Lupar No 2 Bridge.
The RM154.8mil road will bypass Sri Aman town to the bridge.
"We expect it to be ready by August 2026, but I want JKR and the contractor to look at an earlier date to coincide with the completion of the bridge," he said.
Uggah said JKR would monitor the construction of the bridge and road closely to ensure their completion as scheduled or earlier.
"We will also monitor the construction of other road projects approved by the Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada)," he added.
