SONG: An 80-metre-long Bailey bridge will be constructed as an interim measure to replace the Sungai Musah Bridge at Sungai Tekalit, which had suffered structural defects, rendering it unsafe to use.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state government had allocated a sum of RM4.8 million for the bridge, access roads, and the transportation needs of the people on both sides of the river.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, had in fact, set aside a fund of RM50 million to deal with any emergency repairs to our roads, bridges, and others.
“This fund is parked with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), which has agreed to allocate the fund for this Bailey bridge and other needs,” he said to reporters while inspecting the bridge here Saturday (Sept 30).
Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said that he has directed that the consultation process be held within a month after a study prior to its construction.
“There is also a plantation road in the area, which could be another alternative,” he added.
On the damaged Sungai Musah Bridge, he said a consultant has been appointed to investigate the root cause and provide recommendations.
Uggah assured the public that the Public Works Department (PWD) regularly monitors the ‘health’ condition of bridges statewide.
“In fact, the department is doing monthly monitoring, but this is a very unfortunate incident. That is why we have appointed a consultant to do the thorough study and to get to the bottom of it,” he said.
Uggah commended the proactive measures taken by the Kapit PWD office, including providing longboats and vans on both sides of the Sungai Tekalit to facilitate transportation for the affected communities.
During the briefing, the Kapit Divisional PWD engineer Jawa Bara said the Sungai Musah Bridge, completed in 2014 at a cost of RM55 million, faced structural problems when the second pier tilted due to soil movement in the river, leading to a section’s collapse.
The bridge was closed to all traffic immediately after the incident occurred on Sept 21.
Also present at the briefing were assemblymen Jefferson Jamit from Bukit Goram, Lidam Assan from Katibas, ministry permanent secretary Chiew Chew Yau and others.
