MARUDI: Travelling from Miri and Marudi by road is now at least 15 minutes faster and RM30 cheaper with the opening of the Sungai Arang Bridge, bringing Raya cheer to the people of this town and beyond.


The atlas arch bridge – Sungai Arang Bridge – is the first of its kind in South East Asia.


Entri cutting the ribbon to mark the soft opening of the Sungai Arang Bridge.

Assistant Minister of Water Supply Datuk Sylvester Entri officiated at the soft opening ceremony yesterday, witnessed by Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Miri Resident Antionio Kahti Galis, project leader Major Barnabas Dickson, community leaders and longhouse chiefs.

The RM15 million atlas bridge from United Kingdom is an arch bridge spanning 130 metres across Sungai Arang, and the project, which started in September last year, took six months to construct the abutment and centre pier and 37 days to install the bridge.

It is a welcomed development over the snail-paced ferry that charged RM15 per way for a saloon car. The bridge project is part of the Jiwa Murni project of the Armed Forces and the Prime Minister Office and it was delivered as scheduled by the Royal Engineering Regiment led by Major Barnabas and 25 staff.

It has a clearance height of six metres during low tide and four metres during high tide in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Sarawak Rivers Board.

Entri, who is also Marudi assemblyman, said the atlas bridge is also the first of its kind in South East Asia, and he urged users to comply with the traffic light system to regulate the flow of vehicles across this single lane bridge.

“Help take care of the bridge and ensure that it is not vandalised,” he said at the site after the soft opening ceremony.

Entri thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Armed Forces for delivering the bridge, which required a different approach from the conventional Bailey bridge engineering.

“Users can now save RM30 and reduced waiting time, and this is something we should be grateful for,” he said.

Entri added the completion of Sungai Arang Bridge is timely as Marudi gears up for the influx of returning Marudians for the Hari Raya Aidifitri celebration and visitors in the upcoming Baram Regatta 2014.

The main events of the regatta will be held from Aug 22-24, preceded by side events such as cultural performances and competitions and the closing ceremony will be on Aug 23.

Among the land events lined up are Miri FM Champion of the Champions competition (Aug 18), Ramban and Bertaboh (Aug 19), Datun Julud long dance and Sape Music competition (Aug 20), Food and Trade Fair (Aug 20) and Baram Idol Singing Competition ( Aug 21-22).

The speed boat, remote control boats, pump boats and paddling races will be held from Aug 22-24, with the curtain-closing concert on the night of Aug 24 at Marudi Town square.

According to Marudi District Officer Mackos Sibong, 20 teams and 40 boats from Brunei, Belaga, Kuching, Landas and Baram have registered.

For further information, those interested can also check out the website at www.baramregatta.com