RM30 Million Bridge To Replace Collapsed Bridge In Kampung Slim - Ahmad

TANJONG MALIM, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The Perak Public Works Department has applied to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for the construction of a permanent bridge to replace the Sungai Slim Old Bridge in Kampung Slim, Slim River, near here.

In disclosing this today, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the request for the RM30 million bridge was made through the Perak State Secretary's Office and the Perak Menteri Besar.

"We are hopeful for approval from NADMA, which is under Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and we have made this request under the disaster allocation for flood recovery.

"This is an unexpected and extraordinary situation, and we hope for approval from the federal government," he told reporters after inspecting the Bailey bridge on Jalan Slim River-Behrang Hulu (A121) near here.

He said two additional Bailey bridges would be constructed to replace collapsed bridges in the area, but they would only be small, single-lane bridges.

According to him, there are currently 24 Bailey bridges built across the country while waiting for permanent bridge construction.

On Aug 24, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the Bailey bridge was temporarily built to connect Slim Village to Slim River Town and Behrang Town.

The temporary bridge was built after the Sungai Slim Old Bridge collapsed in a water surge incident on Aug 23.

-- BERNAMA