Ahmad Zahid, pictured here during his visit to the project site on Jan 23, says the completed bridge will spur development in the area and attract investors. – BERNAMApic
BAGAN DATUK: The delay in constructing the bridge that will connect Bagan Datuk to Kampung Sejagop in the Perak Tengah district has been overcome and it is now expected to be completed before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said road users will be able to travel along the 10.5km road and 1.5km bridge, an iconic project in Perak, on April 20.
"We hope the project will be completed fully soon, not only for the benefit of the Pasir Salak and Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituencies but also those in Manjung and everyone in Perak, who can use the bridge to travel to Kuala Lumpur.
"With the completion of the bridge and the West Coast Expressway (WCE), the travel time to and from Kuala Lumpur will only take about 90 minutes," he told reporters after visiting the project site here on Monday (Jan 23).
Ahmad Zahid said the construction of the RM400mil bridge started at the end of 2016 and was supposed to be completed by October 2020, but the project suffered an unavoidable delay due to the movement control order (MCO), price hike of raw materials, labour shortage and the weather.
According to Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, the project was now 97% complete and when ready, would contribute to the development of the surrounding areas in addition to encouraging investors.
"I have held several discussions with companies. God willing, the initiative will help create about 4,000 new jobs in the first stage and will continue to benefit the area and create more job opportunities and investment.
"Apart from factories there will also be commercial development and housing projects because with development comes the need for accommodation and once people go to work, they will have buying power," he added. – Bernama
