SEBAUH, Dec 6: The promise made by the Sarawak Parties Coalition (GPS) government to open a bridge across the Kemena River in Sebauh, Bintulu for public use before Christmas has been successfully realized through the appointed contractor and the implementing agency, Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR).

This happened when the Sebauh Bridge was opened to the public on Saturday, more than a month ahead of the original schedule.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development of Sarawak, said that the Sebauh Bridge will improve road connectivity and access for residents in Sebauh, Bintulu.

“Actually, we have made a commitment to the people here that this bridge would be passable by motor vehicles before Christmas. So, it seems that with today’s event, which marks the opening of this road for public use, it means that we at GPS have fulfilled our promise to open it before Christmas, indeed the contractor

"But after JKR collaborated with them on how to improve the work plan and so on, and they intensified activities with all the infrastructure and facilities they had, we are very satisfied with their performance, to the extent that we are able to launch this pre-launch this morning," he said during the pre-launch of the Sebauh Bridge in Bintulu on Saturday.

He said the project was carried out by Hartanah Construction & Development Sdn Bhd with a contract value of nearly RM75 million, starting on December 29, 2023.

"In fact, the first part of the contract faced issues, then we brought in a rescue contractor, and now the rescue contractor has successfully completed this project over a length of 728.56 meters, which is the span of the bridge, with a connecting road long 2.3 kilometers, R3 design, and two single lanes," he said.

According to Uggah, starting today, residents in the area will no longer use the Sebauh ferry service.

Therefore, he hopes that the bridge will be able to boost infrastructure development and the economy of the residents in the area. -TVS