Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (centre) during a visit to the project site in Bintulu on Saturday.
BINTULU (May 23): Construction of the dual-carriageway linking the Jepak Roundabout to the Bintulu Airport Roundabout is progressing ahead of schedule.
According to a project fact sheet released by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), the project had achieved 15.34 per cent physical progress as of April 2026, surpassing the scheduled target of 12.42 per cent, with a positive variance of 2.92 per cent.
The RM69.94 million project, funded by the Sarawak government, is being implemented by JEB Construction Sdn Bhd, with L&P Associates appointed as the project consultant.
The site was officially handed over to the contractor on May 5, 2025.
Although the original completion date was May 4, 2027, the revised completion date has been set for Oct 8, 2027.
Supervised by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) Bintulu Divisional Engineer, the project is expected to significantly transform travel patterns in the area upon completion.
“Once operational, the new road will reduce the travel distance between Bintulu town and Bintulu Airport to about 8km, cutting travel time to approximately 10 minutes compared to the current 25km journey which takes up to 30 minutes,” it said.
Apart from improving direct access to the airport, the project is also aimed at enhancing regional connectivity by reducing travel time between Bintulu, Tatau and Sibu, while providing an alternative route to ease traffic congestion in the town centre.
The project involves the construction of a 4.1km four-lane dual carriageway built to JKR U5 standards, connecting the Jepak Roundabout and Bintulu Airport Roundabout.
Other components include two P-turns at KM1.8 and KM2.1, a 95-metre bridge at KM2.7, a dedicated spur road linking Bintulu Airport to Bintulu town, as well as upgrading works at the existing airport roundabout.
The road development is located adjacent to the newly completed Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge and forms part of the Sarawak government’s broader master plan to drive modern urban expansion, commercial development and organised housing growth in the Kemena and Jepak areas.