The RM211 million bridge, which spans 1.48km across the Sadong river, is the longest in Borneo. It is scheduled to be opened next month.

Nancy, who is also Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong, said the bridge would cut travel time from the state capital to Sibu by two-and-a-half hours from a total of eight hours.

Currently, roads connecting the two towns snake along the coastline and are 408km in length. The bridge crosses the Sadong coastal delta.

Padungan Assemblyman Wong King Wei said based on the party’s own calculations, the travel time may not be shorter, but longer due to the ferry services that have to be used.

“By using the Batang Sadong bridge, you can only shorten the length travelled by 70-80km.

“In terms of time travelled, we can reasonably assume that it can be shortened by about an hour.

“But that shortening of one hour does not include the time it would take to cross another two rivers — Batang Lupar and Batang Saribas.”

He said road users would have to use the ferries to cross the two rivers should they opt to use the Batang Sadong bridge.

“In Sarawak, it takes a lot of time when motorists use ferries.

“You have to consider the time taken up waiting for the ferry and the time on the ferry itself. And sometimes the ferry may break down.

“So, we would like to question how Nancy’s calculations come about. It is illogical and does not make sense.”

Wong, however, said the Opposition component would support the construction of a bridge that spans Batang Lupar as it was “promised” in the 2011 state election.

The allocation for the bridge was approved by Prime Minister Najib Razak, just prior to the state election campaign in 2011.

Construction began on July 5, 2012 for the four-year contract, with a two-month extension given.

The bridge is to facilitate transportation for residents in Simunjan and Sebuyau to commute to Kuching.

Nancy had said constituents in Asajaya, Simunjan, Gedong and Sebuyau would benefit from the development brought by the bridge.