Search

Tarsealed road to Kapit by 2020

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing (seated centre) after a briefing by JKR.
The Baleh Access Road project site plan.
Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing (seated centre) after a briefing by JKR.

KUCHING: The drive to Kapit from Sibu will be in relative comfort once the Baleh Access Road (BAR) project is completed in 2020.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said this shortly after he emerged from a briefing by Public Works Department (JKR) on works progress of bridges, jetties and wharves in the central zone here yesterday.

Calling on the people to be patient, the Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister said he was confident that by 2020 Kapit would not have to depend entirely on river transport like it does now.

Masing said the 73.013km-long BAR project was divided into three packages – Package A (36.258km) Package B (14.440km) and Package C (22.315km).

According to him, Package A, which comprises road projects that provide access to Baleh dam, was progressing at 60% overall. 

JKR central zone was closely monitoring works by the appointed contractors to avoid delays, whilst ensuring safety aspects, he said.

On the progress of works on Package B, which stretches from Nanga Gaat to Sungai Meramah to Nangat Merirai, Masing said overall the progress was recorded at 50%.

On Package  C, which includes the construction of roads and bridges over Sg Merirai, Sg Entalawan, Sg Sepanggil, Sungai Sebiro, Sungai Nuri, Sg Juan, Sungai Nansang and related works, progress was put at 20%.

The overall work progress on the construction and completion of Song Road project that covers Kapit Section B (Package 1) Jalan Ng Ngemah/Ng Temalat was recorded at 11%.

Masing said works on the Menjawah Road in Belaga, which stretches 34km of R1 modified roads, and expected to be complete May 2020, were also progressing well under the close monitoring of the state JKR.

According to the deputy chief minister, a short stretch of this road would pass through a resettlement area.

He said along this stretch Sarawak Energy would plant electric poles to bring electricity to the resettlement area from either Belaga town or the sub-station at Bakun.

JKR central region manager Cassidy Morris, who conducted the briefing, also provided updates on the construction of bridges, jetties and wharves in Kapit. 

He said the Kapit Commercial Wharf was expected to be completed in April 2019; Jetty Nanga Ibau, Song and Jetty Nanga Merit by March next year; and the bridge over Sungai Kapit in May 2020.

Building projects which are expected to be completed in 2019 include the Agriculture Station at Nanga Machan and the Refurbishing and Upgrading works at Fort Emma, Kanowit, while the proposed Kanowit Riverwall at Kanowit River is expected for completion in 2020.

Also present at the briefing were Water Supply Assistant Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang, Belaga assemblyman Alexander Vincent and Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.