WORK on the construction of a RM2mil bridge over a stream along Jalan Kulim in Kampung Machang Bubok near Bukit Mertajam has been suspended temporarily following objections from shopkeepers there.

State Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said the shopkeepers had complained their business had been affected following the partial closure of the road last week.

“The authorities will decide later whether the project would be scrapped,” he said after visiting the project site with state Agriculture and Agro-based Industries and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Law Choo Kiang and representatives from the Public Works Department (PWD) and Drainage and Irrigation Department.

Lim said the PWD had closed off one lane of the road to enable the contractor to bring in heavy machinery for land clearance and piling works.

“However since the project would take a year to be completed, shopkeepers are worried their business will be badly affected due to traffic congestions there,” he said.

Lim said traffic was heavy along the road which is near the Penang-Kedah border.

He said the project was mooted after villagers complained of frequent flash floods. Some had complained the floods were caused by the box culvert covering the drain and utility pipes across the stream which was blocking the water flow.

Source: The Star