‘Ferry services to be scrapped gradually’

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Manyin (right) and Zuraimi pointing out the site of the Kuala Tatau project on the map. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: All ferry services in the state are to be phased out gradually to ensure uninterrupted travelling along the coastal roads in the future.

According to Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, there are currently 12 ferry crossings along these roads, including two being operated by private companies.

“At the moment, we still have to depend on ferries but the government will gradually build bridges to cross the rivers, including major ones such as Batang Igan,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and contractor on the investigation, design, construction and completion of a carriageway between Sungai Serupai and Kampung Seberang at Kuala Tatau in Bintulu here yesterday.

The project was awarded to Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit Sdn Bhd and its joint venture partner China Yunnan Road and Bridge Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd.

“The government is trying to connect all missing links along the coastal stretch so that travelling time can be reduced, just like this particular project in Kuala Tatau,” he said.

Manyin said that the RM215-million project would include construction of three bridges – a long-span balanced-cantilever structure over Kuala Tatau and two short-span ones at Sungai Serupai and Sungai Segirut – as well as the completion of a 11-km two-lane carriageway.

“The whole project is scheduled for completion by October 2017 and once ready, road users can enjoy uninterrupted journey between Balingian and Bintulu.

“Currently, the travelling distance between Balingian and Bintulu is more than 200km. With the completion of the proposed link road, together with the bridge across Kuala Tatau, it will cut the distance to only about 80km,” he said, adding that this particular project had received approval from the federal government early this year but was only officially awarded to the contractor after the completion of necessary soil investigation and ground assessment.

“This is a turnkey project so the contractor has to do everything by themselves including the design and site investigation. Only after both parties are satisfied with the project costs and whatnot, could the project proceed,” Manyin explained.

Inking the MoU on behalf of the government was state Public Works Department director Zuraimi Sabki, while representing Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit and China Yunnan Road and Bridge Engineering respectively were its managing director Kong Lee Luang and chairman Zhao Guang Ji.