A new bridge is planned for Malaysia – image courtesy of © Rainer Lesniewski, Dreamstime.com
A new bridge is being planned in Malaysia that will connect the Sabah mainland with Labuan Island. Details of the project have yet to be announced. Financing is likely to be secured through a private finance initiative (PFI) or public private partnership (PPP) model. The request for proposal process is being determined at present, while the tender process is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2021.
The new bridge will replace the ferry service connecting Labuan Island to the mainland, making a considerable reduction in journey times for drivers on this route. The island is around 8km from the mainland, although the actual length of the bridge and its alignment have yet to be determined. Labuan Island is close to Malaysia’s border with Brunei. Once complete, the new bridge is intended to connect with a stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway and its construction will provide a major economic boost for Labuan Island.
