KUCHING, Mar 14: The Second Trunk Road (STR) project will have positive impacts in Sarawakâs development process.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today, said that once completed by February 2027, it would cut travel time between Kuching and Sibu to a mere three hours.
âIn addition, it will open up other vast interior hinterlands to income-generating economic activities.
âThe Batang Samarahan to Batang Sadong Road would be a 13.7km four-lane double carriageway and would cost a total of RM530 million,â he said after visiting three road packages of the STR here, today.
Meanwhile, on the 28km Batang Sadong to Sebuyau/Batang Lupar Bridge third package, Uggah stated that it would feature a two-lane single carriageway costing RM525 million.
“Here, we will have an 800-meter viaduct crossing the Sedilu National Park and we expect this package to be ready by April 2028,â he added.
According to Uggah, the contractors have identified some minor issues and are quickly resolving it to facilitate the projects’ smooth implementation.
Earlier, Uggah visited the site to see if the contractors were following the state Public Works Departmentâs (JKR) One Month Pledge/Undertaking, where the successful contractors were required to be on-site and had done some construction activities within one month of being awarded the contracts.
“If they fail to do so, the JKR reserves the right to terminate them.
âWe will go on the ground to monitor the progress and to know and to resolve if issues are cropping up,â he said.
He stressed that both the Ministry for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) and JKR have to take a very strict approach to ensure that whatever infrastructural projects implemented are completed and delivered on time.
“When projects are announced, the people and the Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will expect them to be implemented as per the schedule,â said Uggah.
Also present were MIPD permanent secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yau and JKR Sarawak officers. -TVS
