GEORGE TOWN, Oct 28 — Clearing works along Jalan Tun Sardon (P14) are still ongoing following the road’s closure due to landslides last Thursday.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the road had to be closed to all traffic to ensure the safety of road users while clearing works are conducted.
“Some boulders fell due to ground movement, so it was fortunate that the road was closed earlier,” he told reporters today.
Last week, Jalan Tun Sardon, which connects Paya Terubong to Balik Pulau, was closed to traffic at about 6pm on Thursday after landslides occurred along the road due to continuous heavy rains.
According to Zairil, based on earlier plans by the Public Works Department (PWD), the road closure is expected to last until October 31.
“It can be reopened earlier, the earliest could be tomorrow, but PWD will need to evaluate the situation first,” he said.
He added that the landslide was caused by continuous heavy rains over two to three days that destabilised the slopes.
“This is an extraordinary situation caused by the weather, so we have to ensure it is safe before we reopen it to traffic,” he said.
He advised road users to be patient with the traffic congestion around Teluk Kumbar and Bayan Lepas during the closure.
“The police are assisting to control and divert traffic to reduce congestion,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding Federal Road FT006, which links Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau near Titi Kerawang and was also affected by a landslide, he said the road is now partially open to motorcycles and cars, but not heavy vehicles.
“The federal government has approved an emergency allocation to repair the slopes along that road, and works will start soon,” he said.
