Sarawak govt pushes to fast-track key Samarahan–Kuching Coastal Road segment amid delay

KUCHING (Jan 8): The second alignment of the Samarahan–Kuching Coastal Road Project, a crucial 17-kilometre (km) stretch from Batang Samarahan to Sejingkat, has been identified as the most critical segment for ensuring the full continuity of the new coastal road network into Kuching.

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development), Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, stated that completing this alignment is essential to realizing the project’s overall benefits.

“This is a very important alignment. If this section is not completed, the two other completed sections cannot be fully utilised because road users would still need to pass through Samarahan,” he said during a site to the project from Tanjung Bako to the Batang Samarahan Bridge.

He reported a slight delay in one of the main packages along this alignment – a 6.3-km section where physical progress currently stands at 31.39 per cent.

“This package is slightly behind schedule by 3.71 per cent, which translates to a 29-day delay,” Aidel said, adding that instructions have been issued to the contractor to accelerate works.

This includes expediting construction material delivery and deploying additional manpower.

He also provided updates on other sections: the package from Tanjung Bako to Sejingkat is fully completed, while the Batang Sejingkat Bridge is scheduled for completion in June.

“We hope this section can also be completed in tandem so that full connectivity from Samarahan to Kuching can be achieved,” he said.

One of the main challenges highlighted involves extensive earth-filling works, as the alignment traverses low-lying and expansive terrain.

Although the revised completion date for the delayed package is set for July next year, the state government is pushing for earlier completion.

“We want it to be completed as early as possible because this alignment is key to the project’s objective – to allow residents from coastal areas such as Samarahan, Betong, and surrounding regions to travel directly to Kuching without passing through Samarahan town,” he said.