Willie (centre) making a site visit.
KUCHING (June 19): A temporary bailey bridge is currently being built to connect Kampung Tanah Puteh in Serian and the rest of the world by land.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Willie Mongin said the temporary bridge was being built to provide alternative access for road users to commute to and fro the village following the collapse of the existing bridge recently.
He said he was informed of the bridge collapse on Tuesday.
“I then contacted the state Public Works Department (PWD) assistant director Awang Mohd Fadillah and PWD Serian engineer Oliver Ngabong on this disaster on the same day.
“I was informed by Serian divisional engineer that they have reinstated the existing bridge and they are now in the process of making good the bridge approach.
“They will allow the villagers to convey their vehicles to the opposite bank and we have allocated some area by the road side for them to park their vehicles,” he said.
Willie said the villagers had also been advised that the bridge only be used for motorcycles and pedestrians only and no heavy vehicles should utilise it.
He said at the moment, PWD is working towards installing a new temporary bailey bridge.
The Puncak Borneo MP said he had also told PWD to prepare a working paper on the proposal for the construction of a stronger new bridge to the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB).
He said on his part, he will meet the KPLB Minister personally to discuss on the proposal and the urgency to construct a new strong bridge leading to the village.
“I have made a site visit on the day I received a complaint from one of the villagers and I really praise PWD for their quick action to rectify the problem for the convenience of the residents.
“I would also like to advise all road users to follow the PWD’s advice until the temporary bailey bridge is completed.
“We will do our best to rectify the problem because we aware that if it is not resolved, it will affect the livelihood of the villagers,” he said.
Some 165 families or about 500 people have been affected by the collapsed bridge.