MIRI: The construction of the Batang Lupar bridge will be the pre-cursor to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s vision for Sarawak to have two highways across the state.
Najib, at a press conference here today, said the proposed Batang Lupar bridge, spanning 5km in length, will become part of the coastal highway linking people living along the coastal areas in the state.
Costing RM1 billion, the construction of the Batang Lupar bridge will be jointly funded by the federal and state government.
“We are in the midst of conducting pre-implementation works. Since this project involved the state government, we will conduct more meetings to deliberate and find ways for the construction of the bridge.
“According to the plan, the project (construction of Batang Lupar bridge) will begin in 2018. This is a project which will complete the coastal highway.
“Thus, we will have two highways; Pan Borneo Highway will provide better road connectivity for the rural parts of the state while the coastal highway will link all areas located along the coastline,” said Najib.
He said the coastal highway in the state will be developed in phases.
“At present, there are three bridges including the Samarahan bridge being constructed along the coastal area,” he said, adding that Sarawak needed another three bridges including the Batang Lupar to connect all areas along the state’s coastline.