DARO: The Muara Lassa Bridge, costing nearly RM600 million, is now open to the public after 10 years of anticipation.
The soft launch of the bridge today (Jan 9) was officiated by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, who represented Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Aidel said the effort to construct the bridge began in 2014 by all the elected representatives from coastal areas.
“The Muara Lassa Bridge is actually part of the Coastal Road and Second Trunk Road (STR) project, which costs nearly RM12 billion.
“This is proof that the demands and aspirations of the coastal communities from the past have now become a reality. After 10 years, it has finally come true,” he said when met by reporters after the bridge’s soft launch today (Jan 9).
He added that the construction of the Muara Lassa Bridge, the second-longest bridge in Sarawak after the Batang Lupar Bridge, took 48 months to complete. The construction progressed smoothly without any issues and was of good quality.
“Following this, a two-lane road connecting this bridge to the town of Daro has been approved and will be constructed,” he said.
The Sadong Jaya assemblyman further explained that the Muara Lassa Bridge was one of 16 bridges built and fully funded by the Sarawak government through alternative financing to improve connectivity, especially in rural areas.
“Unlike before, if we relied on conventional methods (instead of alternative funding), this project might not have been completed yet. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia using this method to accelerate infrastructure development.
“If we had not used this method, I think we would not have seen the completion of the Muara Lassa Bridge yet,” he added.
Meanwhile, when asked about how many bridges would be completed this year, Aidel said that the Kemena Bridge in Jepak, Bintulu, will be completed in February, while the Pasi Bridge in Batang Rajang will be completed in March, and the Batang Saribas Bridge will be completed soon after.
“The other bridges will follow. Overall, the Coastal Road has progressed 80 per cent, while the Second Trunk Road of Sarawak is nearly 30 per cent complete,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) cum Semop assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi and Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad.
