SADONG JAYA: The state government has approved the construction of a coastal highway, and priority will be given to upgrade the existing roads.

In pointing this out, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the project would include the construction of bridges along the highway.

“The government has approved in principle for the construction of a coastal highway and priority will be given to upgrade the existing roads to become a dual-carriage way.

“And for the bridges which are yet to be built, we will build,” Awang Tengah told reporters yesterday.

Earlier, he performed the earth-breaking ceremony of a Village Extension Scheme at Kampung Jemukan, here.

Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment, stressed that the government would continue to build roads, knowing that such project would benefit the people in the rural areas.

He added that the coastal highway would greatly benefit the people in the area who are mostly farmers and fishermen to uplift their socio-economy.

“The coastal highway which was started by Tun Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud (when he was the Chief Minister) has opened up many areas, and we will continue it,” he stressed.