The new bridge is expected to mitigate soil erosion along the riverbank.

A NEW bridge will be built as part of a soil erosion mitigation project at Jalan Kuala Garing, Rawang.

The entire project, costing RM6.1mil, comprises construction of a 40m-long by 14m-wide bridge over Sungai Rawang, demolition of the existing bridge and transfer of utility cables.

Rawang assemblyman Gan Pei Nei announced this during a visit to the site with representatives from the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) as well as the project’s consultant and contractor.

The bridge will connect Jalan Kuala Garing to areas such as Taman Garing Utama, Desa Kuala Garing and Sungai Choh Industrial Area and serves as an alternative route to Kampung Sungai Choh and Kampung Koskan.

An estimated 5,000 motorists will benefit from the new bridge.

“My office started receiving complaints about soil erosion along the riverbank of Jalan Kuala Garing late last year.

“DID and Selayang Municipal Council undertook some temporary measures but a long-term solution was needed,” said Gan.

A representative from the contractor Pantai Jeram (M) Sdn Bhd said initially they wanted to demolish and rebuild the bridge at the existing site.

“But a new plan was mooted to build a new bridge 10m downstream. The new bridge will also be wider and higher compared to the existing structure,” said the representative who declined to be named.

“We will also build a concrete wall to strengthen the riverbank.

“The existing bridge will be demolished only after the new structure is completed,” he said, adding that the utility companies would be asked to relocate their cables before the demolition.

The project is expected to be completed by December next year and the cost would be borne by the Selangor government.

The DID officer, who declined to be named, said the new bridge would be integrated with other soil erosion and flood mitigation measures in Jalan Kuala Garing.