Uggah: Work on new road that will cut Sarikei-Tg Manis journey to 45 minutes on schedule, likely ready by March 2025

SARIKEI (Nov 8): Construction on the 17km road from Pasi to Tanjung Manis, including the 1.4km Batang Rajang Bridge, is on schedule and expected to be completed by March 2025, said Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Deputy Premier told a press conference after the Stitching Ceremony for the Batang Rajang Bridge today that the government has been very strict in ensuring the project costing around RM321 million progresses well.

“I am very happy and thank JKR (Public Works Department) for trying their best to complete this. They had done the work programme to make sure that the Batang Rajang Bridge and the road will be completed by March 2025.

“I am confident with the work plan and the weather situation, there is no reason why we will not celebrate the completion of the bridge,” he said.

Uggah, who is also Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, said the Batang Rajang bridge is the third over the Rajang River, with the other two being the Lanang and Durin bridges.

He pointed out that upon completion, the route will cut traveling time from Sarikei to Tanjung Manis from two and a half hours at present to just 45 minutes.

“If you are traveling from Meradong to Tanjung Manis, it will be also only about 50 minutes, so it will be a lot shorter and thus it will bring a lot of benefit to the people in this area,” he said.

Uggah also said should certain delays arise, the ministry would find solutions to ensure the project does not stall.

He pointed out the project is part of the Coastal and Second Trunk Road initiative to open new opportunities, new areas, and give new hope to the people.

“It will transform the community in Sarawak. JKR and the ministry are trying our best to keep the work on schedule, even though earlier we were facing Covid-19 challenges.

“But now, we are recovering, and we are very happy that most of the projects have recovered and we are on track,” he stated.