James Kon

Brunei-registered vehicles can use the mega bridge connecting the Brunei-Muara District and Temburong District starting today from 6am-10pm following an announcement yesterday.

This was revealed by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, who is the chairperson of the national committee for the Brunei-Muara and Temburong connecting bridge project during a press conference at the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Al-‘Afiah Hall yesterday.

The minister said, “The physical work of the bridge has been fully completed and handed over to the Public Works Department under the Ministry of Development by the national committee for the bridge project.”

At the moment, he said “CCTV and cable installation works are being carried out and expected to be completed by the end of April while the construction of the operation centre is still in process at Jalan Kota Batu. The Kota Batu road expansion work is expected to be completed by April this year.

As per the Management Committee for the bridge project, jointly chaired by the Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar and Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said, “The bridge will open today from 6am-10pm daily and a ‘Bridge Maintenance Office’ comprising staff of the Ministry of Development and Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications will begin operations and is tasked to control as well as ensure the safety and welfare of bridge users are in place.

“A patrol team will help control the traffic while the bridge is operational,” he added.

The minister also said only Brunei-registered vehicles of Class 1, 3, 4 and 6 are allowed to use the bridge.

However for Brunei-registered commercial vehicles of Class 5 require an approval which can be applied through the Bridge Maintenance Office.

He reminded that bridge users can contact the Operation Centre through Darussalam hotline 123 for emergencies. Bridge users are reminded to drive at a speed limit of 80km/hr for normal vehicles while 65km/hr for commercial vehicles. He also added that cyclists are not allowed to use the bridge. For foreign-registered vehicles, the minister said, “They are advised to use the route approved by the Asean Highway 150, or AH150. The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) will work together to ensure that the traffic flows smoothly on the bridge.”

Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said, “The authority will monitor and close the bridge in the event of bad weather or if the bridge is deemed unusable.”

The minister sought public cooperation to ensure the safety and well-being of road users while using the bridge.

On Internet access and mobile phone coverage on the bridge, the Minister of Development said, “UNN is helping us to carry out the cable work and there will be Internet access on the bridge.”

The public can contact Darussalam hotline 123 or the Bridge Maintenance Office through email at [email protected] for inquiries.