GEORGE TOWN: Penang is planning to initiate legal action against the company of the trailer responsible for damaging the iconic Weld Quay pedestrian bridge yesterday.
State Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the claim would be for losses, damage and consequential costs the state has to bear due to the incident.
"The state views the incident very seriously. As such, we are planning to file a negligence suit against those responsible.
"A police report has been lodged by the owner of the overhead pedestrian bridge, namely the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). We hope the police will investigate the matter," he told newsmen here today.
Also present were state Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
The pedestrian bridge was dismantled today for safety reasons.
Yew said the pedestrian bridge was found to be structurally unsafe and beyond repair after yesterday's accident.
“This is a loss to us since it is a historical monument, and a facility for pedestrians.”
He said that they were now working to install a zebra crossing and traffic lights at the site as an immediate temporary measure.
"We will look into the possibility of constructing a new pedestrian bridge, but for now, it is important to put in a zebra crossing first," he said.
It was reported that police detained the driver of the trailer shortly after the 4.20pm incident yesterday, whose heavy vehicle got caught at the iconic Weld Quay pedestrian bridge, badly damaging the structure.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the man, in his 30s, was detained for alleged reckless and dangerous driving.
He said a urine test conducted on the trailer driver was negative for drugs.
The Weld Quay pedestrian bridge is one of the oldest pedestrian bridges in Penang.
It was originally built to connect pedestrians between the jetty, also known as Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda, and the George Town bus terminal, then located off Lebuh Victoria.