LAWAS (July 29): The New Bandar Lawas Bridge, which is expected to open to the public in October, is poised to usher in a new phase of urban development in the district by providing a direct link between the northern and southern parts of the town.
The bridge is also expected to reduce travel time from about 50 minutes to 25 minutes, improving connectivity and accessibility for the people in the area.
At present, residents crossing Sungai Lawas either rely on the long-established riverboat service or travel via the existing road network, with the latter requiring a significantly longer journey to reach the opposite side of the river.
The Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni said the RM149 million project had achieved 97 per cent physical completion as of June this year and remained ahead of schedule, with only architectural and finishing works remaining before its targeted completion in September.
“The remaining works include the installation of the bridge’s signature decorative domes and archways, lighting systems and other aesthetic enhancements that will give the crossing its distinctive identity.
“Major structural works have been completed, and the project is progressing ahead of schedule. Once completed, the bridge will become a key transportation link connecting Merapok and Bandar Lawas, while serving as a new landmark for the district,” he told Bernama.
Beyond improving accessibility, Ismawi said the bridge would support future residential, commercial and industrial development, while creating new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment in the district.
He said the project also forms part of Recoda’s broader plan to position Lawas as Sarawak’s northern gateway linking the state with Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan under the Trusan, Sundar and Merapok Action Area Plan.
“The bridge is complemented by other strategic infrastructure projects, including the Northern Coastal Highway, the new Lawas Airport in Sundar and upgraded Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes, which will further strengthen cross-border mobility and economic activities,” he said.
For many residents, however, the bridge represents more than another infrastructure project as it also promises a simpler and faster daily commute.
Mohd Arwadie Wasli, 35, from Kampung Belimbing, said he uses the riverboat service whenever he needs to cross Sungai Lawas quickly, as driving to the opposite side currently requires a much longer journey.
“For now, if we want to get back quickly, we really have to use a boat from the Lawas River waterfront to reach the village on the other side. The boat fare is only RM1 one-way, but once the bridge is completed, we will no longer need to rely on that service and will be able to save time,” he said.
Another resident, Norhidayatul Afiqah Sa’adi, 29, from Kampung Seberang Kedai, said she had depended on the riverboat since childhood and looked forward to the bridge’s completion, particularly because the boat service usually ends at about 6pm.
“If there is an emergency at night, we are forced to use a longer overland route. Once the bridge is completed, we will be able to cross at any time, and the journey will be much easier,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) regional director Datuk Ubaidillah Abdul Latip said the 642-metre bridge would play a pivotal role in connecting the northern and southern parts of Bandar Lawas, particularly as the southern bank has been earmarked for future urban renewal and expansion.
“The most significant aspect is connectivity to the north and south of Lawas town… we need to establish a connection to the south, given the state government’s plans for an urban renewal project in that area,” he said.
Ubaidillah said the bridge would also become an architectural landmark with the installation of eight decorative domes atop four towers, a concept inspired by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman, after studying iconic bridges overseas.
He said the distinctive design is expected to give Lawas a recognisable identity while symbolising the district’s transformation into a modern gateway in northern Sarawak.
