The Star, Tuesday November 20, 2012

Work on bridge near Pasar Kajang halted

Not good enough: Pasar Kajang residents using the temporary bridge passing by the remnants of the old bridge beside it.

 

THE construction of a bridge to connect Jalan Bukit and Pasar Kajang has been abandoned by the authorities.

Advisor to Pasar Kajang Traders Association Datuk Chong Tow Chong said the project under the supervision of Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) was supposed to be completed by end of September.

“The old bridge was demolished as it was too low to Sungai Jelok’s water level.

“It was removed in August but the construction work to build a new bridge has not started since then.

“This has caused inconvenience to residents and customers of the market and food stalls to move to and from the Pasar Kajang and Jalan Bukit area,” said Chong.

He added that the temporary bridge could only accommodate pedestrians and not vehicles, unlike the old bridge.

Jalan Bukit hawkers and market traders said the lack of a proper bridge had affected their business.

Food hawker Siew You Chion, 52, said his business suffered since the old bridge was taken down.

“It is difficult for our customers from Pasar Kajang to come to the stalls as the temporary bridge cannot be used for vehicles.

“This has affected the business of other hawkers significantly.

“We hope the new bridge can be completed soon as we can no longer bear the bad business,” he said.

Siew added that the hawkers agreed and cooperated when they were asked to move to make way for the new bridge, only to be disappointed with the current progress.

Chong added that the hawkers and residents had highlighted the issue to Kajang Municipal Council and DID but there was no official response from the authorities.

“We were only told verbally that the project might complete at the end of December but judging from the work that has been done right now it might not be completed,” said Chong.