The ageing Tun Abdul Razak Bridge in Buntong, Ipoh, will be demolished to make way for a new structure, following public concerns over its safety.
Buntong assemblyman M. Thulsi said she received numerous complaints about the condition of the bridge, which led to Perak government approving RM1.75mil for the construction of a new bridge.
She said the project would be carried out by Ipoh City Council, with works scheduled to begin today.
Construction is expected to be completed by Jan 6 next year.
“To facilitate the construction works, temporary road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in the area,” said Thulsi.
“We urge road users to plan their journey accordingly and we would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation throughout the construction period,” she added.
The bridge, constructed sometime in 1996, came under scrutiny after a video was posted online in March showing a metal structure being removed by the city council while heavy vehicles passed overhead.
The person who posted the video warned that a mishap could occur if the bridge collapsed, and urged people to stay alert.
When contacted at the time, Thulsi said the metal structure that had partially come off nearly two years earlier was removed as a safety measure.
She said her team had consulted with the city council after the incident and its experts advised that it was safer to remove the entire structure.
