JERANTUT: The new Bailey bridge at Kampung Sungai Putat near here was declared officially open on Saturday to the glee of some 1,000 villagers who lived in the surrounding areas.
After the existing concrete structure was damaged during the floods early this year, villagers were left with no choice but to travel about an hour along a lonely alternative route to reach Jerantut town.
Villagers have been eagerly waiting for the bridge to open after the Royal Army Engineers Regiment worked around the clock for about 17 hours to complete the construction on April 29.
Kampung Sungai Putat and Pulau Mansak Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Mohamad Saidi Din said the villagers were extremely grateful to the state government, soldiers and other agencies who had completed the new bridge within a short time.
"The alternative road which takes about an hour is lonely and does not have street lights so it was not suitable to be used at night. Since the stretch passes several other villages, the narrow road will sometimes become too crowded with vehicles during peak hours especially when parents send their children to school.
"The existing bridge was damaged twice during the major floods in 2014 and last year. Since the Bailey bridge is only a single lane, we hope the state government would consider building a new bridge soon to make it easier for people and heavy vehicles to travel," he said when met.
Saidi said besides Kampung Sungai Putat which has about 400 villagers, residents at Kampung Gajah Mati, Kampung Sungai Yap and Kampung Doja were also affected by the damaged bridge as they could not transport their oil palm fruits.
"Lorries were forced to use the longer and narrow alternative route which became congested and posed a risk to other road users. The opening of the Bailey bridge will certainly allow villagers to return to their normal lives," he said.
Sarina Mohamad, 40, the damaged bridge had resulted in traffic congestion during weekdays especially those going out to work and parents sending their children to school.
"I used to leave home at about 6am to send my children to school because if I left an hour later, I would be trapped in the traffic jam along the alternative route.
"Everyone was waiting for the Bailey bridge to be completed and I remember the villagers eagerly watching the soldiers installing the bridge last month. The soldiers worked throughout the night to complete the job," she said.
Housewife Norshahira Abdullah, 23, said the villagers can now sleep easily knowing that the new bridge is safe to be used by children to go to school and access healthcare services if someone is ill.
"The major concern was if someone falls sick especially late at night as it would take about an hour to bring the person to hospital. The alternative road was not safe especially for women when travelling on motorcycle alone.
"I am glad the days of using the unpredictable alternative road are over as sometimes the road will be clear from traffic and at times badly congested. Now everyone can return to using the old stretch," she said.
Pulau Tawar assemblyman Datuk Nazri Ngah described the new bridge as an early Aidilfitri gift for the villagers as it would allow them to conveniently travel to Jerantut town to make preparations ahead of the festive season.