THE Bintulu-Jepak bridge is not only an iconic structure but also a crucial connector, bringing communities closer together.
Lorita Florence Anak Dunggat, a staff nurse from Jepak, expressed her excitement about the bridge, noting that it will make traveling to Bintulu town much quicker and easier. “We will now enjoy better access to markets, healthcare, and educational facilities in town,” she shared.
Similarly, Tan Chuan Bee, a local resident and retiree from Bintulu, highlighted the benefits the bridge will bring once it opens to the public.
“It will provide an alternative route to Bintulu Airport, alleviating traffic congestion on the Sibu-Bintulu airport road,” he explained. “Additionally, the bridge will offer shorter access to the Bintulu-Mukah coastal road, reducing travel time between Bintulu and Jepak. I also foresee it becoming a new tourist attraction, adding to the beautiful scenery in Bintulu."
Tan also mentioned that with the bridge in place, the government could centralise its administrative offices, further reducing traffic congestion in their current locations.
Jocelin Anak Salau, an administration officer from Jepak, added that the improved transportation links could enable local businesses to expand and create new job opportunities, ultimately boosting the local economy. “We are looking forward to a new beginning for Bintulu and Jepak,” she said.
Meanwhile, another retiree Ling Kee Eng said he has eagerly anticipated the completion of the bridge. “I will certainly benefit from it as it will shorten the distance for me to travel from my place to Bintulu Airport, to Sibu and places at the Kuala Tatau Road,” said the former school principal. “These are the few places I often need to commute to, saving me substantial amount of time and fuel consumption.”
Ling said he hopes this will also help to ease traffic congestion, which often occurs along the few main roads leading to the places he often travels to.
Besides, Ling added that the bridge would be a spectacular iconic architectural structure across the scenic Kemena river mouth. “Personally, I would be thrilled if it has a lane safe for pedestrians to walk or jog,” he said.
Dentist, Jacqueline Ha from Bintulu said the shortening distance of town and airport will help ease travelling especially for business purposes. "This will also allow people from the outskirts of Bintulu to travel to Bintulu town quickly and easily," she said.
Victor Loh Yew Ping, also from Bintulu, said he believes that the bridge will benefit both Bintulu and Jepak economically. “Additionally, the most direct advantage will be the shortened distance between Bintulu and the airport, as well as to Sibu,” said the accountant.
The stay-cable bridge is an initiative of the Sarawak government. The total cost of the project is RM466.7 million. The construction which began in 2019 was undertaken by a joint-venture between Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd’s unit PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. (PPESW) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Ltd, is nearing completion this year.
The technology for the stay-cable bridge comes from OVM China, with Malaysian company, Specialist Engineering Asia (SEA) as its local partner. OVM is the leading specialist contractor in China, renowned for providing pre-stressing solutions for various infrastructure projects.
“This gives SEA the valuable working experience in constructing the stay-cable bridge,” said Eugne Lim, chief executive officer of SEA. “We are committed to the infrastructure development in region.”
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