Looming concerns

HUGE concrete beams of a new elevated highway being built above the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang are causing jitters among some motorists using the expressway.

Work to place the beams along the elevated highway had just begun and their looming presence above those travelling on the expressway bring back memories of an accident in June last year when a ramp of the second Penang bridge collapsed and killed a motorist passing below.

The 5km highway links the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge to the expressway near Queensbay Mall.

A motorist who declined to be named said he felt insecure when travelling below the beams.

“Nobody can predict if anything bad will happen,” he said.

Another motorist hoped that the authorities and contractor of the project would take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the expressway users.

State Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said at least three parties would look into the safety aspect at the construction site.

“They are the project’s main contractor, project consultant and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

“I will also be keeping my eyes on the project to ensure the safety of the public,” he said.

Lim said all works at the site would be conducted according to the standard operation procedure.

“When the contractor is going to lift the beams and place them in position, no vehicles will be allowed to pass by. Therefore, this will be carried out during midnights or when the traffic volume is low and vehicles will be diverted to other roads,” he explained.

He assured that the safety of the public and workers of the project would always be given priority.