IPOH, April 11 — The opening of the road and bridge from Bagan Datuk to Kampung Sejagop to road users has been postponed to May 31, according to the Public Works Department (JKR).

It said in a statement today, the opening of the infrastructure scheduled to take place during the Aidilfitri festive season had to be postponed due to several factors that it needs to refine.

"...the project still has some incomplete work, especially involving the safety aspect by the contractor, in connection with that, we would like to announce the completion date of the project and the opening of the bridge to the public is on May 31, 2023,” read the statement.

It said the decision was made so that the construction works done by the contractor can be tested comprehensively and go through the gazetting process.

During a visit to the construction site on January 23, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, announced that the infrastructure would be accessible to road users beginning April 20.

The project, consisting of the construction of a road stretching about 10.5 kilometres and a 1.5-kilometre bridge crossing Sungai Perak worth about RM400 million started at the end of 2016 and was expected to be completed in October 2020, but it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the surge in the costs of building materials as well as labour and weather issues.

The department also noted that Ahmad Zahid’s previous announcement on the opening of the bridge was made based on the planning and projections by the main contractor and JKR’s assessment.

"As the implementing agency of government’s projects, JKR is always committed to the delivery of projects according to the prescribed timeline, quality and cost. It is also concerned with providing safe and comfortable roads for users,” it added. — Bernama