BALIK PULAU: Jalan Tun Sardon will remain closed until further notice as teams from the Public Works Department and appointed contractors continue clearing huge boulders that fell during last week’s landslide.
State infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said workers are still breaking large rocks that have covered most of the road.
"Many of the boulders are blocking almost the entire stretch of the road and must first be broken before they can be lifted or moved," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 29).
He said the reopening of the road will depend on the pace of clearing works and safety assessments at the site.
"The teams are working continuously to restore access, but we will only reopen the road once it is completely safe for motorists," he added.
Further updates on the reopening will be issued once debris removal and slope stabilisation works are completed.
The landslide was caused by continuous heavy rain over several days, which softened the soil structure and loosened rocks along the slope, sending tonnes of earth and debris crashing onto the road.
Jalan Tun Sardon was closed on Oct 23 following a series of 23 slope failures triggered by the downpour from Oct 20, with the most critical collapse recorded near kilometre 5.10.
The Star reported that the closure caused massive traffic gridlock along Teluk Kumbar Road, the only remaining access route for Balik Pulau residents travelling to the city and schools.
Commuters said travel times stretched to nearly three hours during peak periods.
The state government has mobilised a joint task force comprising Public Works Department engineers, local council officers and disaster response teams to stabilise the slope and clear debris.
Authorities have also reminded motorists to stay alert when travelling on hillside routes, especially with continued rainfall forecast over the coming days.
