Temburong - Work on the Pandaruan Bridge at the border of Brunei and Sarawak, Malaysia, currently under way to smoothen the traffic flow between BSB and Temburong, has hit a snag, however, the contractor has vowed to double efforts to catch up with the expected date of completion.

The Trans-Boundary Pandaruan Bridge came under inspection during a working visit by the Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar yesterday.

The bridge is scheduled to be completed within 15 months, and the laying of the foundation was witnessed on June 10 this year The project is expected to be completed by August next year, however, bad weather conditions have brought on the delay.

Speaking to the Bulletin, the minister said, "It is a little behind schedule, but I was assured by the contractor that they will put in remedial measures to catch up with the schedule. However, one of the biggest factors is still the weather... so far the contractor has been making quite a good progress.

"Eight per cent of delay over a 15-month period is about 36 days of delay. But, we still have 10 to 11 months before completion and with the extra effort we will be able to see good progress in the construction of the Pandaruan Bridge.

"The project is coordinated between the governments of Brunei and Malaysia, and the bridge will be operational in August or September. The contractor is from Malaysia.

"Motorists are currently using a ferry to cross the Pandaruan River. During the holidays or heavy traffic period, there will be congestion because the ferry can only transport a limited number of cars. Therefore, after the bridge is completed, we hope it will ease the traffic flow for the public crossing the border," he added.

In addition to the bridge, the minister said, "There is a new CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) Building and vehicles will have to pass through the building for Immigration and Customs checks after the bridge is completed."

The minister also expressed, "Overall, I am satisfied with the progress."

Accompanying the minister during the working visit were Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Awg Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yusof and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Awg Hj Idris bin Hj Md Ali and other officials. Also present was Legislative Council member YB Awg Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad.