PLUS Expressway Bhd assured the public that the Penang Bridge structure was still intact and safe to be used by motorists, following two fire incidents back to back since yesterday.
“We would like to confirm that the right lane, on both sides of the roads where the fire occurred, are now closed for several days for investigations to be conducted by TNB, the Fire and Rescue Department and the police.
“For now, we urge motorists to use the sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge to avoid traffic congestions,” it said, in a statement to FocusM.
Earlier today, the electrical cables at KM3.2 of the first Penang Bridge caught fire again this morning, just after another incident yesterday.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department and several other teams were sent to the site on the bridge and by boats.
The Perai Fire and Rescue Department Station chief Azrul Khairi Abu Bakar suspected that the latest blaze could have been caused by sparks from yesterday’s fire, but could only confirm it after a thorough probe.
Following the incident, Penang State Infrastructure and Transport executive councillor, Zairil Khir Johari told online news portal, The Malay Mail Online that several lanes on the bridge would be closed, possibly up to three months, to allow repair works to be conducted on electrical cables.
“We are considering to close one lane, on each side of the bridge, at night only for the repair works but this would depend on the number of repairs needed.
“Hopefully, TNB will announce the decision later after their discussions with PLUS,” he was reported saying.
Soon after the incident, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow met with officials from TNB this morning to get details on the incident.
“In the meeting, I was informed that the cause of the fire is still being investigated and the state government will support TNB in its efforts to ensure continued power supply to Penangites.
“I was also briefed on how long it would take to repair the cables and discussions that need to be held with PLUS on the lane closures to allow the work to be done,” he said, in a Facebook post. – Feb 23, 2021.
