The Sarawak State Government has planned to complete the coastal highway, which will link the State’s coastal areas through a series of bridges and roads completing “missing-links” along its stretch, by 2023 at an estimated cost of RM4.27 billion.
Assistant Minister of Coastal Road YB Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi said this in response to Daro assemblyman YB Safiee Haji Ahmad during the 3rd day of the 2nd Meeting of the 2nd Term of the 18th State Legislative Assembly on 10th November, 2017.
He elaborated that the completion of Sarawak’s second major highway would accelerate socio-economic development in coastal areas, which included small towns such as Sematan, Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Maludam, Kabong, Mukah and Balingian.
This is in line with the Government’s efforts to boost rural development twofold in its aspiration to make Sarawak a developed state in the future.
To date, the Batang Sadong Bridge and Kuala Tatau Bridge are fully constructed, while the Batang Samarahan Bridge is around 85 per cent completed.
Nine bridges have been approved by the Government for construction, namely Batang Rambungan Bridge, Batang Lupar Bridge, Saribas Bridge, Sungai Krian Bridge, Batang Rajang Bridge (which includes a road linking Jalan Pasi and Jalan Tanjung Manis), Batang Paloh Bridge, Muara Lasa Bridge, Kuala Igan Bridge, and Kemena Bridge.
The Government has also proposed to upgrade the road linking Tanjung Kidurong and Samalaju in Bintulu to a four-lane, two-way road.
