Bandar Lawas Bridge To Improve Connectivity & Drive Urban Development
LAWAS: The opening of Bandar Lawas Bridge to the public from November 6, 2026 is expected to strengthen road connectivity in the district, ease residents' daily commutes and create new development opportunities around Lawas town.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) Chairman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the 642-metre bridge, costing RM149 million, would not only improve connectivity but also serve as a catalyst for more comprehensive and well-planned development in Lawas town.
He said the bridge would complement the existing road network and ongoing projects, including the Northern Coastal Highway and the Transborder route, which would further strengthen connectivity towards the Sabah border.
He said this when officiating at the soft launch of Bandar Lawas Bridge here on Friday.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah added that the bridge would also enable the Government to plan development on both sides of Batang Lawas, including a proposed waterfront area for recreational and commercial activities.
He said the development plan for Lawas town also included public and government facilities, commercial areas, housing and open spaces to ensure more organised and balanced urban growth.
He also explained that the Local Plans for Lawas and Limbang were being prepared, taking into account the region's economic potential, including tourism, agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, fisheries, high-value timber industries, mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy.
Meanwhile, he expressed his appreciation to the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), NRDA, relevant agencies, contractors and consultants for their commitment and cooperation in ensuring that the bridge project achieved practical completion ahead of schedule.
According to a RECODA statement, the project achieved practical completion on October 15, 2026 and is expected to reduce travel time between northern and southern Lawas from approximately 50 minutes to 25 minutes.
The bridge directly connects Jalan Pulau Salam to Kampung Ladang Baru, complementing the Northern Coastal Highway network and improving access towards Merapok and the Sabah border.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2026 and will be officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
Also present were Datuk Amar Awang Tengah's wife Dato Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, RECODA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni, Limbang Resident Unus Tambi, Northern Region Development Agency Director Datu Ubaidillah Abdul Latip and Former Batu Danau Assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang. -UKASnews
