Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said this today when he officially opened the 1.48km Batang Sadong Bridge, costing RM231 million. He said this bridge came in RM12M cheaper than expected, and two weeks earlier than planned.

To complete the coastal route, another bridge, costing RM1 billion, will be built across Sungai Batang Lupar, with work expected to start in 2018.

Najib said that when ready, the new 5km bridge to be built on a 50-50 share between the state and federal governments. It will be the longest bridge in Sarawak, a title now held by Batang Sadong Bridge.

He said other bridges being planned or already approved to complete the coastal route alignment for comfortable travel included the Batang Samarahan bridge (estimated to cost RM112 million), Batang Igan (RM300 million) and Batang Rambungan (RM130 million).

Najib said he had approved the building of the bridge during his walkabout in the area in 2011, after hearing of the local people’s difficulty. He also considered the importance of creating a network of roads for those living along the coastal areas that were bypassed by the Pan Borneo Highway.