TRANSIT took note of this article which talks about public safety concerns related to the construction of a flyover for KTM’s Ipoh – Padang Besar Electrification & Double Tracking project.
According to the response from MMC-Gamuda, we need not be that worried. But take a look at the article & photo and judge for yourself.
Motorists passing below the flyover construction site of the electrified double-tracking project in Permatang Tinggi are worried about the absence of safety nets at the site. — Picture by Mohamad Danial Mohamad Saad, NST
Motorists on the Bukit Mertajam-Permatang Tinggi trunk road are wondering why there aren’t any safety nets underneath the flyover.
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Commuters plying the Bukit Mertajam-Permatang Tinggi trunk road daily are concerned with the lack of safety measures at a flyover construction site for the electrified double-tracking project in Permatang Tinggi here.
They claimed that the project developer had failed to install a safety net below the flyover structure, posing danger to passing motorists should any construction materials fall to the ground.
A motorist, who declined to be identified, said he decided to highlight the matter as he fears for his safety whenever he passed the area to work every day.
He said although no untoward incident has occurred since the construction of the flyover, it is important that the contractor and developer be proactive in preventing a tragedy.
Checks by the Northern Streets team at the site yesterday confirmed that there was no safety net below the flyover.
Motorcyclist Razak Sulaiman, 38, said he fears for his safety whenever he passes the flyover site.
“I hope the contractor will look into this matter. I pass through this area almost everyday,” he said.
In an immediate response, a spokesman for MMC-Gamuda JV, the double-tracking project developer, explained that the edge protection safety net would only be installed at the next stage of the flyover construction.
The spokesman said what the motorists were seeing at the site now is the completion of the beam.
“In the next stage, we will start work on the deck and this will be followed by the laying out of the tars.
“It is at this stage that we are obliged to install the safety net as per the requirement,” he said.
He pointed out to another flyover under construction in Jalan Maju, also in Bukit Mertajam, where the safety net was installed as construction progressed.
“We understand the public’s concerns but they can rest assured that we strictly observed the safety requirement at all times,” he added.
TRANSIT Says:
The sight of this is disappointing but we can understand that what it looks like is not necessarily what it is.
But we would still cringe & be worried driving alongside the flyover, just like the motorists in the article.
2 replies on “KTM Update: Safety first, in all aspects!”
safety net? since when it necessary? ive saw many time before flyover under construction never place safety net even though traffic is flowing beneath.
A thing about safety net is that it is meant only to prevent small light objects (workers, construction waste, tools etc.) from falling. Should the beam fail I doubt it would be able to withstand the load.
Transit Malaysia 
2 replies on “KTM Update: Safety first, in all aspects!”
safety net? since when it necessary? ive saw many time before flyover under construction never place safety net even though traffic is flowing beneath.
A thing about safety net is that it is meant only to prevent small light objects (workers, construction waste, tools etc.) from falling. Should the beam fail I doubt it would be able to withstand the load.