New bridge, road project set for Kpg Buntal

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Abang Johari (second left) shows thumbs-up at Bako Bridge, while accompanied by (from left) Dr Hazland, Snowdan, Julaihi, Wan Junaidi, Dr Jerip, Aidel and others. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The Sarawak government will construct a bridge crossing Buntal River, as well as a road connecting Kampung Buntal and Santubong via Bako.

This was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who approved an additional allocation of RM85 million for this project.

“The late Tok Nan (Sarawak’s fifth chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) initiated the project to construct Bako Bridge and now I, as his successor, will construct another bridge in Buntal, with an access road of 8.5km that connects Bako with Buntal and Santubong.

“Road connectivity like this is vital to the socio-economic development of our people, particularly those in rural areas who are living along coastal areas,” he said when declaring open the Bako Bridge here yesterday.

Abang Johari is briefed by a Public Works Department (JKR) officer on the development of the project. Also seen are Dr Jerip (front, right), Julaihi (front, second right) and Wan Junaidi (behind Abang Johari). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

On Bako Bridge, Abang Johari said Adenan approved its construction to provide residents in the Bako area with direct land access.

The Bako Bridge crossing Bako River is now open to the public, providing residents in the area with direct land access. — Photo by Sia Teck Chai

“The late Tok Nan had always emphasised on rural development and now we are continuing his policy to provide infrastructure development for the convenience and comfort of the ‘rakyat’ (people).

“This is also our commitment to strive towards advancing our economy, opening up development opportunities and improving the quality of life of those living in this area,” he stressed.

In addition to the bridge, he pointed out that Sarawak government, led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), would also be constructing a road to Kampung Bako, stating that ‘the bridge would be pointless if there was no road for vehicles to access the village’.

The construction of Bako Bridge and access road to Kampung Bako was fully funded by the Sarawak government, with a contract sum of RM41.3 million.

The scope of the project includes the construction of a 280m two-lane single carriageway concrete bridge over Bako River, a 3.5km two-lane single carriageway road connecting Kampung Bako with the existing Jalan Kampung Bako and other associated works such as drainage, road furniture and utilities.

Construction of the project commenced on March 3, 2016, and was certified for practical completion on Jan 31 this year.

Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Hipni and Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo.