SIBU: The Sarawak government has given its consent to raise the vertical clearance of the planned Batang Rajang Bridge from 20m to 26m.
The 1.2km bridge is part of the 17km Pasi-Sibu-Jalan Tanjung Manis construction project in Sarikei which was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on April 29, 2018 and will be ready in four years’ time after it gets underway in the second quarter of 2019.
The adjustment will allow large ships plying the waterway to and from Sibu to sail safely under it, said Sarawak Coastal Road Assistant Minister, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, yesterday.
The clearance was agreed after the shipping community was invited to a dialogue with the Infrastructure Development and Transportation Ministry in November 2018.
The group voiced its fear that the 20m vertical clearance would restrict the passage of large ships to Sibu and beyond, which in turn will cause the price of goods to increase, among other things.
Following a meeting with the Sabah and Sarawak Shipowners Association, Sarawak Shipping Association and Sibu Shipyards Association, Julaihi told reporters it is not a blanket approval for all bridges, however, as “it can be lower in some rivers depending on the number of ships (big or small) plying the river”.
It is hoped the project will encourage the opening of more land to spur commercial, agriculture, tourism and other development in the area, Julaihi said. – Bernama
