KUANTAN: The Public Works Department (PWD) will make repairs on a damaged Bailey bridge at Section 102 of Jalan Kuantan-Segamat that is causing traffic congestion.
Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Razali Kassim said this is a temporary measure to alleviate the problem.
"The traffic volume during the Aidilfitri holidays is high, and the steep section at the bridge is forcing drivers to slow down. The PWD will look into it (the damaged steel plate)," he said today.
The Bailey bridge, which can support up to 20 tonnes, serves as a temporary solution until a permanent bridge is built at a cost of RM17 million.
The road was closed to vehicles on Jan 6 because of a sinkhole. The Bailey bridge was built several days later.
Several images of the sunken steel plate on the 30m-long bridge had gone viral on social media. Motorists questioned the lack of action by the authorities, in view of the heavy traffic during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said yesterday contruction of the permanent bridge would be expedited, and that the "unusual traffic congestion" would be raised at the cabinet meeting this week.
The PWD said in a statement today damage to the bridge was caused by heavy vehicles. The bridge may in fact be used only by light vehicles.