MARUDI, Nov 11- The project that Marudi residents have been waiting for all this time, the Marudi Bridge, is now open to the public starting on Sunday (Nov 10).

With that, the ferry service that has been connecting residents for a long time to cross the Baram River is also terminated.

Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the 650 meter long bridge was worth RM116.5 million and was fully completed on October 18.

"So, we say a big thank you to the project developers, contractors, consultants and also all the agencies involved in successfully implementing this project ahead of schedule than the target which is actually ahead of schedule.

"This and of course the opening or completion of this Marudi bridge is a catalyst to other road relations," he said this to reporters at the pre-opening of the Marudi Bridge, here on Nov 10.

He further explained that the completion of the bridge is the beginning of improving the road network in Marudi and other places in the north of Sarawak.

These include the proposed construction of a 42 kilometer long road from Eastwood Valley in Miri to the Marudi Bridge and then to Kuala Melinau in Mulu and the proposed Long Panai to Long Lama Road.

Mulu will also be connected to Limbang through the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Project and will be connected to Lawas.