China-built Lupar Bridge Opens for Trial Operation in Malaysia

The landmark Lupar Sea Bridge in Malaysia’s Sarawak state has officially commenced trial operation on May 21. Constructed by China Railway Group Limited, the project stands as a key Belt and Road cooperation initiative between China and Malaysia and ranks as the largest single river bridge project currently under construction across Malaysia.

Stretching 4,844 metres in total, the bridge comprises a south approach bridge, a main navigational bridge and a north approach bridge. Its main navigational section adopts a double-tower, three-span, double-cable-plane concrete cable-stayed structure, with the main tower reaching a height of 111.575 metres. Over 90 percent of the entire project’s construction work was carried out at sea, bringing significant technical challenges to the build.

The construction site features complex marine conditions including large tidal ranges, rapid water flow and deep soft soil foundations. To address these hurdles, the project team adopted an innovative full-water construction method without temporary trestles. A series of independently developed high-performance marine engineering equipment was deployed on site, including a 5,000-tonne marine concrete mixing vessel, the largest of its kind in Malaysia, a 108-metre high-pile frame piling vessel, KTY4000 rotary drilling rigs and 1,600-tonne segment beam erecting machines.

This suite of advanced technologies and equipment ensured steady construction progress and guaranteed engineering quality. The tailored construction solutions also effectively protected local marine ecological environments and fishery resources, setting a high standard for environmentally friendly overseas infrastructure projects.

The opening of the Lupar Sea Bridge eliminates the long-term reliance on ferry transport for residents on both sides of the Lupar River. It greatly cuts commuting and logistics travel time between Kuching, Sibu and surrounding areas in Sarawak. The new infrastructure optimises the coastal transportation network of eastern Malaysia and facilitates coordinated growth of local oil and gas, agriculture and tourism industries.

The bridge will continue to drive regional connectivity and unlock the development potential of eastern Malaysia. It delivers tangible benefits to local communities and lays a solid foundation for sustained regional economic expansion.