KUCHING: Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol has called for the Selampit Bridge project to be completed together with its permanent access road, stressing that both components are crucial to ensure residents fully benefit from the development.
During his official visit to the project site on September 30, Mordi said the long-awaited bridge had encountered delays due to several challenges.
These include land acquisition issues, severe floods earlier this year, and errors in the initial soil investigation which failed to detect a rock layer at the bridge site.
“The second soil study confirmed the presence of a rock layer, requiring the bridge design to be revised. This has financial and time implications, pushing the completion date further. Initially, the bridge was scheduled to finish by March 2026, but after extensions, it is now expected to be completed by December 2026,” he explained.
As of September 25, the physical progress of the bridge stood at 23.46 percent against the target of 25.74 percent, while financial progress was at 27.40 percent against the target of 30.13 percent. The project, costing RM27.92 million and funded by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, however, does not cover the permanent access road.
Mordi highlighted that Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang had previously told Parliament that the 1.8-kilometer access road, estimated to cost RM22 million, would be applied for separately under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“As the MP for Mas Gading, I will continue to push for approval so that both the bridge and access road can be completed together, ensuring the people of Kampung Selampit, Bitokan, and surrounding areas receive the full benefits,” Mordi said.
Also present during the site visit were representatives from JKR Sarawak and local community leaders from Kampung Selampit and Bitokan.
Mordi expressed appreciation for their cooperation and stressed that it is vital for elected representatives to monitor the actual status of projects so they can provide clear answers to the people.
By Connie Chieng