Terengganu Receives Bailey Bridge For Monsoon Readiness - Exco

DUNGUN, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu government today received a Bailey bridge, a strategic asset to help the state respond to natural disasters such as major floods and landslides.

State Infrastructure, Utilities and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Hanafiah Mat said Terengganu is among the first states to receive the bridge, worth RM4.55 million, through an allocation under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) provided by the federal government.

“The 140-foot-long bridge, measuring 4.2 metres wide, will enable faster temporary restoration of road networks in the event of disasters such as road collapses, particularly during the flood season.

“It will also ensure that emergency and logistical assistance can be delivered without delay when disasters occur,” he told reporters at the project completion and Bailey bridge under the Terengganu MARRIS allocation handover ceremony in Kampung Durian Mentangau here today.

Also present was state Public Works Department (PWD) director Dr Hasli Ibrahim.

Hanafiah, who is also deputy chairman of the State Disaster Committee, said that to ensure the safe and efficient use of the Bailey bridge in the future, state PWD has set up its Bailey bridge team, comprising 35 trained technical officers from state, district and branch divisions.

“As this is the first time state PWD has established its own Bailey bridge team, a training session was held from Aug 10 to 14 as part of the department’s preparedness for disasters, especially during the upcoming Northeast Monsoon (MTL),” he said.

He added that the state government also received two completed projects under the PWD, through MARRIS allocations, namely the replacement of a damaged bridge on Jalan Durian Mentangau here and the construction of a new bridge on Jalan Felda Panchor Merah in Setiu.

He said the bridges and road infrastructure at both locations were badly damaged in the 2022 floods, disrupting connectivity between areas and making it difficult for residents to travel.

For the bridge replacement project on Jalan Durian Mentangau in Dungun, the state government allocated RM5.77 million through MARRIS for its design and construction.

The project, which included a 30-metre concrete bridge and a 400-metre road upgrade, began in November 2023 and was completed on June 5, more than five months ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, the new bridge on Jalan Felcra Panchor Merah in Setiu, costing RM4.95 million, was completed on May 6, 13 days ahead of schedule, without any requests for time extensions or additional costs.

-- BERNAMA