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.[1] 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.[2]

Lanang Bridge

Jambatan Lanang
Coordinates2°14′40″N 111°50′0″E / 2.24444°N 111.83333°E / 2.24444; 111.83333
CarriesMotor vehicles
CrossesBatang Rajang, Sarawak, Malaysia
LocaleQ326 Jalan Lanang Barat / Jalan Teluk Assan
Maintained bySarawak Public Works Department (JKR)
Woodville Development Sdn. Bhd.
Characteristics
Designbox girder bridge
Total length1.2 km
History
DesignerState Government of Sarawak
Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR)
Woodville Development Sdn. Bhd.
Constructed byWoodville Development Sdn. Bhd.
Construction start2003 [1]
Construction end2006
Opened11 April 2006
Location
Map

Overview

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Sunset on the Lanang bridge

The bridge is built at 6 km upstream of the Sibu town centre with dual carriageway. The bridge joins Lanang road and Paradom road across the river.[3]

Toll collection and subsequent abolishment[4]

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A toll plaza was built at 435 metres away from the bridge on the side of the Paradom road. The bridge was meant for toll collection for 22 years.[3]

Class Type of vehicles Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
1 Motorcycles Free (starting 11 May 2011)
2 Cars (including taxicabs and MPVs)
3 Vans, minibuses, pickup trucks, SUVs and light trucks (less than 5 tonnes
4 Buses
5 Lorries (excluding trailers)
6 Trailers

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.[2]

Due to the criticisms by local residents, on 2011 the federal government proposed to take over the bridge and abolish the toll collection.[4][5]

On 29 April 2015, the then-Chief Minister (nowadays Premier) of Sarawak Adenan Satem announced that the toll were completely abolished on May 25 that year, along with the other 2 toll bridges in the state.[6]

List of junctions

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Km Exit Interchange/Junctions To Remarks
Sibu
East
  FT 1 Bintulu
  FT 1 Miri

North
Sibu town center

South
Upper Lanang Industrial Estate
4-way signalised intersection
Start/End of dual-carriageway
 Q326 Lanang Bridge
Start/End of bridge
  Petronas Layby     Petronas     Sarikei bound
Batang Rajang bridge
Lanang Bridge
1.2 kilometres
Start/End of bridge
Sibu Division
Sibu district border
Batang Rajang Bridge
Rajang Bridge
1.2 kilometres
Sibu-Sarikei division border
Sarikei Division
Meradong district border
Batang Rajang bridge
Lanang Bridge
1.2 kilometres
Start/End of bridge
U-turn U-turn Sibu bound
Lanang Bridge toll plaza
RM (Cash)
Toll operation discontinued
 Q326 Lanang Bridge
Start/End of bridge
West
 Q326 Jalan Teluk Assan
Bintangor
Sarikei
Start/End of dual-carriageway

References

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  1. ^ a b Upper Lanang bridge, Sibu Archived 2015-02-23 at the Wayback Machine URL assessed on 15 December 2009
  2. ^ a b "Tol Jambatan Lanang membebankan". The Borneo Post (in Malay). 3 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Getting to know Lanang Bridge". The Borneo Post. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Cadangan Ambil Alih Jambatan Lanang Telah Dikemukakan Kepada Kerajaan Pusat" (in Malay). Bernama. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Kerajaan Persekutuan sedia ambil alih Jambatan Upper Lanang". Berita Harian (in Malay). 13 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Toll on Lanang Bridge abolished". Borneo Post Online. Retrieved 2022-06-02.