PEKAN: The damaged Bailey bridge at Section 102 of Jalan Kuantan-Segamat near here which caused a major traffic congestion during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays will be closed for repair works next week.
Pahang Public Works Department director Datuk Ir Hafizah Zakaria said repair works were expected to be completed within a week.
"We expect repair works to begin by the end of this week. An early notice of the road closure and alternative routes will be issued so that road users can plan their journeys.
"During repairs, the Bailey bridge will be fully closed to all vehicles. The bridge was damaged as vehicles exceeding the 20-tonne load limit have been utilising the bridge, causing it to sink," she said today.
Hafizah advised road users to adhere to the maximum weight (handled by bridge) so that similar damages will not occur again in the future.
"When the department is forced to close the stretch for repair works, it will only cause difficulties to road users," she said.
Yesterday, Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Razali Kassim said the department will make repairs on the 30m-long damaged bridge which had gone viral on social media.
The steel plates connecting the ramp to the road along the bridge had been damaged, forcing motorists to drive slowly and resulting in traffic congestion.
Several images and videos of the bridge were uploaded on social media, calling for the authorities to execute immediate repair works.
The Bailey bridge was opened on Jan 27 after the road was closed to all traffic following a sinkhole incident on Dec 6 last year.