THE 870m Batang Lupar2 bridge, one of 11 major spans under construction for the state’s coastal road, is now 96 days behind schedule, Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said today.

Uggah, who is also the state’s Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, told reporters after a site visit in Sri Aman, that a shortage of workers is the prime cause of the delay.

He said Naim Gamuda (Naga) JV Sdn Bhd, the main contractor for the RM223.6 million cable bridge, and the host of sub-contractors complained of a lack of workers following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project was initially scheduled for completion by November 24, 2024, but the new date is now February 28, 2025.

The bridge is on the stretch between the towns of Simanggang and Betong – a distance of about 76km.

Uggah had spent the past few days inspecting the progress of the coastal road – the state’s second major arterial road after the Pan Borneo Highway.

He said his ministry and the state Public Works Department will continue to assist contractors, adding that countries like China had lifted travel restrictions, so the Sarawak government had formed a task force to speed up the approval of applications for migrant workers.

Sarawak has restricted the source of foreign labour to a few countries, with the majority coming from neighbouring Indonesia.

“They need to get some construction materials too,” he said, alluding to logistical problems in China.

Elsewhere, the remaining bridges on the coast road are the Batang Lupar, Batang Igan, Batang Paloh and Muara Lassa in Mukah; Batang Saribas and Sungai Krian in Betong; Batang Rambungan in Lundu; Sejingkat in Kuching; Bintulu-Jepak in Bintulu; and Batang Rajang in Sarikei. – March 3, 2023.