TANJONG MALIM: The Perak Public Works Department has applied to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to construct a permanent bridge to replace the Sungai Slim Old Bridge in Kampung Slim, Slim River, near here.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said on Saturday (Oct 19) that the request for the RM30mil bridge was made through the Perak State Secretary's Office and the Perak Menteri Besar.
"We are hopeful for approval from Nadma, which is under Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and we have made this request under the disaster allocation for flood recovery.
"This is an unexpected and extraordinary situation, and we hope for approval from the federal government," he told reporters after inspecting the Bailey bridge on Jalan Slim River-Behrang Hulu (A121) near here.
He said two additional Bailey bridges would be constructed to replace collapsed bridges in the area, but they would only be small, single-lane bridges.
According to him, 24 Bailey bridges are currently being built across the country while waiting for permanent bridge construction.
On Aug 24, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the Bailey bridge was temporarily built to connect Slim Village to Slim River Town and Behrang Town.
The temporary bridge was built after the Sungai Slim Old Bridge collapsed during a water surge on Aug 23. – Bernama
