PEKAN: The construction of a permanent bridge at the Kuantan-Segamat highway (FT12) is planned to replace the Bailey bridge following the recent sinkhole on the road.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the ministry has submitted a funding application of RM17mil to the Economy Ministry and Finance Ministry for the construction of the proposed permanent bridge.
"We are planning to build a permanent bridge on the original route to replace the Bailey bridge that was temporarily installed. The construction is estimated to take two or three years," he told reporters after inspecting the Bailey bridge on Thursday (Jan 18).
Ahmad said the installation of the Acrow 700XS (two-lane) Bailey bridge, which is 30.48m long and 9.3m wide, took only three days compared to the usual five to seven days. The installation began on Jan 11.
However, he said the road could not yet be opened to the public as it had not yet been tarred due to the persistent rain.
He said the cost of the tarred road works was RM550,000.
Ahmad said apart from Pekan, two other Bailey bridges were constructed in Melaka and Jeli, Kelantan, following disasters during the monsoon season. – Bernama
