DAMAGE to the Kepong underpass ceiling was likely caused by overheight vehicles forcing their way through the 3.5m-limit route.
In a statement yesterday, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) confirmed that friction marks were found on the ceiling of the underpass linking Pekan Batu 5 and Kampung Seri Delima.
“To ensure optimal safety, DBKL will ask the Public Works Department (JKR) to carry out a detailed study on the structure to assess its integrity.
“In the meantime, DBKL will also review the height limit at the underpass to ensure its suitability,” it added.
This followed a site visit by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud along with officers from various DBKL departments.
Pictures of the noticeable subsidence on the underpass ceiling had gone viral.
DBKL said it would streamline all resurfacing works in the underpass to ensure they were suitable, along with a proposal for new height limit signage and a warning gantry.
“DBKL will monitor the location continuously and take action to ensure public safety and that traffic runs smoothly,” it said.
Earlier this week, residents in the area held a press conference to express concern about the matter.
They said lorries passing through the underpass along Jalan Kepong Lama would hit the ceiling of the concrete structure.
Former Taman Wahyu Residents Association chairman Ong Kean Eng said that over the past few years, heavy vehicles such as concrete mixer lorries had hit the ceiling.
He said lorries which had become stuck at the underpass had forced their way through.
“One of the concrete mixer lorries got stuck at the underpass in February.
“The driver resorted to deflating the tyres to pass through,” Ong said during a press conference at the site.
Batu Umno division chairman Datuk Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim, who was also present during the visit, said scuff marks made by heavy vehicles were visible on the roof of the underpass.
“Authorities should urgently check the structure,” he said.
