Sungai Derhaka Bailey Bridge Opens Today - Two Days Ahead Of Schedule

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Bailey Bridge, built to temporarily replace the Sungai Derhaka Bridge at Jalan Permatang Pauh here, was opened to traffic today - two days ahead of schedule.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the construction of the Bailey Bridge is a short-term measure to replace the old bridge, which was built in 1960, after it was found to be unsafe for use.

"The damage to the original bridge involved key structural components, such as the collapsed and sunken abutment, as well as cracks on the underside of the bridge deck slab (soffit).

"Follow-up inspections by the Road Facility Maintenance Division (CSFJ), together with the state Public Works Department (JKR), on Oct 3, deemed the bridge to be unsafe for use.

"So, the temporary solution was to install the Bailey Bridge until we obtain an allocation to build a new permanent bridge,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Bailey Bridge here today.

He said work to install the Bailey Bridge, 12 metres (m) long and 11.2m wide, was carried out by JKR through concessionaire THB Maintenance Sdn Bhd and costing RM250,000, with work on the project starting on Oct 8 and scheduled to be completed tomorrow.

However, Zairil said an inspection by JKR yesterday found that the temporary bridge was safe to be used and, as such, it was opened today for the convenience of users.

He said the FT311 Jambatan Sungai Derhaka route is a high-traffic federal road used by various vehicles, including commercial vehicles, thus a swift resolution was needed to avoid disruption to traffic flow.

He added that the Penang JKR had applied for an allocation to build a new permanent bridge and is awaiting feedback from the Works Ministry.

-- BERNAMA