Road to dam reopened after nine-month closure

(BRIEF CAPTION): Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng reopening of Air Itam dam road./Picby: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star/7 July 2017

THE primary access road to the Air Itam Dam is now open again to the public after a nine-month closure for repair works.

As a symbolic gesture to the reopening yesterday, about 100 cyclists braved the morning rain and rode to the top of the dam.

The picturesque dam is open to the public from 7am to 7pm daily.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng thanked the Kek Lok Si Temple for erecting a retaining wall at the 60m-high slope that collapsed on Oct 29, last year.

“This 100m-long retaining wall was built by the temple because the landslide occurred on its land.

“The state Public Works Department will be responsible in keeping the road safe for public use,” he added.