Carries Motor vehicles Opened 11 April 2006 Bridge type Box girder bridge Carry Motor vehicle | Total length 1,200 m Body of water Rajang River Construction end 2006 | |
Locale Q326 Jalan Lanang Barat / Jalan Teluk Assan Maintained by Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR)Woodville Development Sdn. Bhd. Designer State Government of SarawakSarawak Public Works Department (JKR)Woodville Development Sdn. Bhd. Similar ASEAN Bridge, Wisma Sanyan, Sibu Central Market, Lau King Howe Hospital, Tua Pek Kong Temple | ||
The Lanang Bridge, Sarawak State Route Q326, is a 1.2-km toll bridge in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. It was constructed in 2003 by a local concessionaire, Woodville Development Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Shin Yang Group, to replace the former river ferry service crossing the Batang Rajang. The bridge, together with a series of states highways linking Sibu to Sarikei (Jalan Teluk Assan Q326, Jalan Tanjung Genting Q576, Jalan Kelupu Q206, Sarikei-Bintangor Highway Q345, and Sarikei-Pasi-Meradong Highway Q575), forms an alternative route for the Sarikei-Sibu section of the Pan Borneo Highway. Built at the total cost of RM 180 million, the bridge was opened to motorists on 11 April 2006.
Controversy and criticism
The bridge was heavily criticised by motorists, especially the residents of Sarikei and Sibu, who regularly use the toll bridge for its ridiculously expensive toll rates. For instance, cars are charged at RM3.00 per crossing, which translates to RM2.50 per kilometre. Motorcycles are also charged at RM0.50. As a result, car drivers frequently commuting from Sarikei to Sibu and vice versa may need to spend as much as RM300 monthly for the toll bridge alone.
Due to the criticisms by local residents, on 2011 the federal government proposed to take over the bridge and abolish the toll collection.