The Government of Malaysia (represented by JKR) and Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd signed the contract for the Design, Completion and Commissioning of Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu Road Bridge, Rail Bridge and Associated works, Johor Bahru, Johor.

The Ceremony which was witnessed by the Honourable Prime Minister, Dato Seri Dr.Mahathir Mohamad was held at Putrajaya. Signing on behalf of the Government was the Director General of JKR, Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato' Zaini bin Omar and his deputy Y.Bhg. Dato' Ir. Ng Chong Yuen. Gerbang Perdana was represented by the Chairman, Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Razali Ismail and the Managing Director, YB Dato' Yahya A. Jalil. Also in attendance to witness the signing was the Minister of Works, YB Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu, Second Finance Minister YB Dato' Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, Deputy Minister of Works YB Dato' Mohamad Khaled Nordin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs YB Dato' Dr. Leo Michael Toyad, Chief Minister of Johor YAB Dato' Hj Abdul Ghani Othman and other senior government officials.

In his speech, Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Zaini bin Omar expressed his satisfaction with the progress of works for the CIQ complex undertaken by Gerbang Perdana. He also stated his confidence that the Gerbang Team would be able to achieve completion of the Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu project according to schedule.

Tan Sri Zaini also thanked the Government for appointing JKR as the Project Director for the GSB project and pledged to undertake the assignment with full dedication and commitment.

The idea to replace the causeway with a bridge was initiated by the Prime Minister in July 1996 and this was acknowledged by both Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Zaini Omar and Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Razali in their speeches.

A project presentation was followed by a presentation on JKR's auto access system, SKALA project monitoring system and i-supervision.

During the Press conference, YAB Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad expressed his hope that the bridge would be completed in time by December 31, 2005 and the contractor does a good job.