BATU KAWAN: The Batu Kawan Bridge expansion project, which is supposed to be completed next year, has encountered a snag after one of its four piers gave way last night.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the fault at Pier 2, which is the most important pier in the project, was detected about 9.30pm last night.
"At the time, Pier 2 moved by about one metre. This morning, Pier 2 had moved between five and six metres.
"As such, all works have been halted for safety reasons, pending an investigation by the project consultant as well as the project owner, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC)," he told reporters during a visit to the project site here this afternoon.
The project, which began back in 2017, would see the existing Jalan Batu Kawan expanded from two lanes to six lanes.
Traffic along Jalan Batu Kawan has increased incrementally in recent years due to rapid development in Batu Kawan and Bandar Cassia.
Asked on the expected delay period, Chow said it would take at least several months. He was unable to provide specific details on the losses incurred due to the latest fault.
Chow said although the completion of the Batu Kawan Bridge project is highly anticipated, its safety would not be compromised at any cost.
"I was briefed by the project consultant that the other three piers there are still intact.
"However, we really need to ensure the intactness of the overall structure before we open the bridge for public use," he added.
Meanwhile, M.E.I. Consultants Sdn Bhd executive director Datuk Ir Dr Goh Teik Cheong said initial checks showed Pier 1, 3 and 4 were still in their original positions.
He said as for Pier 2, which is built on Sungai Jawi, they still could not ascertain the actual damage due to the high tide.
"Due to the high tide, we cannot see what is happening inside the river. We will do it once the water recedes.
"We are only looking at a localised site of the fault. Nevertheless, we will check the integrity of the whole structure," he said.