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| Silica sand wharf and jetty - used in the 60's - 70's will become the site of the proposed new bridge linking Bintulu town and Jepak village. |
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| Site of earth-breaking ceremony, 22 July'19. |
On 22 July I had the opportunity to observe the earth-breaking ceremony
for the proposed new bridge to be erected at the mouth of the Kemena
River, which has the Bintulu town on its right bank and Jepak on its
left bank as it nears the sea. The right side of the bank where the
ceremony happened was formerly the site of a silica sand wharf and jetty
used in the 60's to 70's. The cable-stayed bridge structure is
expected to be completed in 48 months at a cost of RM 467 million
and financed by the Sarawak state coffers. The earth-breaking ceremony
was performed by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang
Johari Tun Openg. It is the first time I see the Chief Minister
speaking in a very confidant mastery style even though the speech was in
Bahasa Serawak (or Sarawak Malay). He was in his elements and his
manner of speaking was almost akin to the late Tok Nan whose straight-
talking style invariably captivated the imagination and hearts of the
peoples of Sarawak. With the completion of the bridge the total
traveling distance to reach Bintulu town from the airport would be
shortened to 6km from 20 km presently.
